One of the most common—and also most expensive—mistakes when registering a trademark in Colombia is not related to the name or the logo, but to a decision many people underestimate: choosing the wrong classes under the Nice Classification.
Many entrepreneurs and creators believe that registering their trademark in a single class is enough.
The reality is different: a poor definition of classes can leave your brand partially unprotected, open the door to legal conflicts, and in the worst-case scenario force you to start over right when your business is beginning to grow.
What Are Trademark Classes and Why Are They So Important?
Trademarks are not registered “in general.”
They are registered for specific products and services, organized under the Nice International Classification, which divides the market into 45 classes:
- Classes 1 to 34: products
- Classes 35 to 45: services
Trademark protection only covers what is expressly included in the classes requested.
Anything outside those classes remains legally unprotected, even if you use that name every day in your business.
The Most Common Mistake: Registering Only What You Do Today
This is the most frequent mistake.
Many trademarks are registered thinking only about the current activity, without considering:
- New business lines
- Digital channels
- Future monetization models
- Scalability and expansion
A Realistic (and Very Common) Example
A content creator registers their stage name as a trademark only in Class 41, for entertainment services and audiovisual production.
Today, their business consists of uploading videos to social media, so they believe that class is sufficient.
But as their personal brand grows, they begin monetizing in other ways:
- Online courses, mentorships, and programs
- Ebooks, guides, and downloadable materials
- Apps, platforms, or digital communities
- Paid events, conferences, or workshops
Because they did not register their trademark in additional classes such as:
- Class 9: downloadable digital products, apps
- Class 41: education and training (if not correctly defined)
- Class 42: digital platforms, technology services, online communities
they become exposed to third parties registering similar trademarks in those classes.
The result:
👉 limitations to grow
👉 legal conflicts
👉 or even the obligation to change their brand name in new business lines
Is Registering More Classes Always Better? Not Necessarily
Here comes the other side of the mistake.
Registering too many classes without a strategy can also create problems.
Each additional class implies:
- Higher administrative costs
- Greater exposure to oppositions
- Risk of cancellation for non-use
📌 In Colombia, if you do not use the trademark in a class during the legally established period, that protection may be lost.
The key is not registering all classes, but registering the right ones.
So… How Many Classes Should I Register?
There is no single answer.
The appropriate number of classes depends on a strategic analysis, considering factors such as:
- Your current activity and business model
- How your products or services are sold (physical, digital, or hybrid)
- Short- and medium-term growth projections
- Risk of confusion with third parties
- Budget and the value of the trademark asset
In many cases, strong protection requires more than one class, especially in:
- Digital businesses
- E-commerce
- Franchises
- Personal brands
- Companies planning expansion
The Real Cost of Choosing the Wrong Classes
Registering a trademark in the wrong or insufficient classes can lead to:
- Loss of exclusivity in key activities
- Conflicts with third parties who did register in other classes
- Inability to oppose similar trademarks
- New costs for additional registrations
- Legal risks when scaling your business
In intellectual property, cheap decisions often become expensive mistakes.
Choosing Classes Is Not a Formality—It’s a Strategic Decision
Correctly defining trademark classes is not just an administrative step.
It is a decision that directly impacts:
- The value of your brand
- Your capacity to grow
- Your legal security
- The protection of your reputation
At Nexo Legal, we do not simply file trademark applications before the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC).
We support our clients in building a comprehensive trademark strategy, aligned with their business model, commercial projection, and market reality.
Before registering your trademark, ask yourself:
Is my brand really protected for everything my company does—and will do?
If you have doubts, this is the right moment to resolve them, not when the problem is already on your doorstep.
Our Intellectual Property team at NEXO LEGAL can help you make the right decision from the start.
Get started with a free case assessment
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After submitting the form, your case undergoes a comprehensive review by our team of specialist to assess its viability. Providing clear and concise information about your objectives accelerates this process.
Subsequently, a specialist will be assigned to your case, reaching out to you within a day to clear up details about your case and outline the next steps to help you achieve your goals.
Get started with a free case assessment
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After submitting the form, your case undergoes a comprehensive review by our team of specialist to assess its viability. Providing clear and concise information about your objectives accelerates this process.
Subsequently, a specialist will be assigned to your case, reaching out to you within a day to clear up details about your case and outline the next steps to help you achieve your goals.