Class 9 mainly covers scientific and research apparatus, audiovisual and IT equipment, and safety/life-saving equipment — including downloadable computer software, electronics, batteries, and protective gear. It does not cover general kitchen appliances (Class 7), electric razors (Class 8), space heating apparatus (Class 11), or general sports equipment (Class 28). Cloud-based software accessed online, rather than downloaded, is usually Class 42, not Class 9.
In This Article
Class 9 is one of the broadest categories in the entire Nice Classification system, and it shows in how often it's filed — everything from a mobile app to a fire extinguisher to a pair of smartglasses can genuinely belong here. That breadth is exactly why it's also one of the easier classes to misuse, assuming it covers something adjacent that actually sits in a completely different class.
What Class 9 Actually Covers
The official explanatory note describes Class 9 as covering mainly apparatus and instruments for scientific or research purposes, audiovisual and information technology equipment, and safety and life-saving equipment. In practice, that spans:
- Downloadable and packaged computer software, mobile apps
- Computers, computer peripherals, and electronic devices
- Scientific, laboratory, navigation, and measuring instruments
- Batteries, chargers, and electrical control apparatus
- Protective and safety equipment — fire extinguishers, protective helmets, bulletproof clothing, security tokens and encryption devices
- Diving equipment, GPS and navigation apparatus, cash registers and calculating devices
- Virtual reality headsets, smartglasses, and similar emerging device categories
The Software Question: Class 9 or Class 42?
This distinction trips up a lot of software companies. A mobile app that users download to their phone is a Class 9 good. A SaaS platform that users log into through a browser, without downloading anything, is more accurately a Class 42 service. Many software businesses genuinely need both — the app itself in Class 9, and the underlying service in Class 42 — which is why this pairing shows up so often in multi-class filings for tech companies.
What's Commonly Mistaken for Class 9
| Often Assumed to Be Class 9 | Actual Class |
|---|---|
| Electromechanical kitchen appliances (grinders, mixers, coffee mills) | Class 7 |
| Electric razors, hair clippers, flat irons | Class 8 |
| Electrical space heating, cooking, ventilating apparatus | Class 11 |
| General sports equipment | Class 28 (though sports protective gear like helmets is Class 9) |
| Surgical robots | Class 10 |
| Toy robots | Class 28 |
| Cloud-based/SaaS software | Typically Class 42 |
Swipe to see all columns
The robot examples are a good illustration of how classification actually works: it's not "is this a robot," it's "what is this robot's function." A laboratory or scientific robot fits Class 9's research-apparatus scope. A surgical robot fits Class 10's medical-instrument scope. A toy robot fits Class 28's games-and-toys scope. Same broad category of object, three different classes, based entirely on function.
The 2026 Classification Update
The Nice Classification's 13th edition, which entered force on January 1, 2026, specifically revised Class 9's explanatory note to address years of growing congestion — driven largely by the rapid rise of digital and virtual goods, including software and NFTs, all previously clustered somewhat ambiguously under this one class. The update, developed with input from national IP offices and organisations including INTA, excludes certain digital and virtual good categories that had been contributing to the overlap, aimed at making examination and clearance more consistent going forward.
The practical takeaway: if you're filing digital or virtual goods, particularly newer categories like NFTs or virtual environment items, it's worth double-checking current guidance rather than assuming older Class 9 descriptions still apply exactly as before.
Who Typically Files in Class 9
- App developers and software companies filing their downloadable product
- Electronics and hardware manufacturers
- Safety equipment and protective gear brands
- Companies building AI-enabled scientific, laboratory, or security equipment
Software and tech businesses very often need Class 9 alongside Class 35 (if selling through their own platform or marketplace) and Class 42 (for the service layer of their product) — worth checking all three before filing rather than assuming one class covers the whole business — a free trademark search at this stage confirms the name is available in each class you need.
Cost for Class 9
The government fee is the same as for any other class: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, sole proprietors, DPIIT-recognised startups, and MSMEs filing online, or ₹9,000 per class for companies and other entities. If your product needs both Class 9 and Class 42, that's two separate government fee payments. Our cost calculator can total this up for your specific class combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not Sure If Your Product Needs Class 9, 42, or Both?
Use the free class finder to check, or ask a specific question about your software or hardware product.