Services

Trademark Class 42: Software, IT Services & Scientific Research

Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and industrial research services; design and development of computer hardware and software.

365,911live trademarks

Filing Activity

Trademark applications and registrations in Class 42 over the past 15 years.

Class 42 covers scientific and technological services, industrial analysis and research, and computer hardware and software design and development. It is one of the most filed classes overall and among the largest service classes, reflecting the central role of technology in the modern economy. The class is the primary filing destination for software companies, SaaS platforms, IT consulting firms, engineering services, scientific research organizations, and cloud computing providers.

The scope of Class 42 is vast: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), cloud computing, website design and development, data hosting, cybersecurity services, quality assurance testing, industrial design, architectural services, engineering, chemistry services, and scientific research all belong here. Filing volume is driven by the technology sector's rapid growth and the corresponding need for trademark protection across software, cloud, and consulting services — see the live Top Law Firms breakdown below for the firms currently most active in this class.

The most significant classification challenge in Class 42 involves the distinction between providing technology as a service and offering the technology as a downloadable product. SaaS and cloud-hosted platforms are Class 42 services, but downloadable software applications are Class 9 goods. Most technology companies need both classes. Website hosting is Class 42, but internet access provision is Class 38. IT consulting belongs in Class 42, but business consulting using technology tools moves to Class 35. Architectural design services are in Class 42, but the actual construction work falls under Class 37. Industrial design (the aesthetic design of products) is here, but graphic design for advertising purposes belongs in Class 35.

Multi-class strategies for technology companies typically begin with the Class 42 and Class 9 pairing for SaaS services and their associated downloadable applications. Companies with data-driven business models add Class 35 for data analytics and business intelligence services. Cybersecurity firms often pair Class 42 with Class 45 for security consulting and Class 38 for network monitoring services. Engineering firms combine Class 42 with Class 37 for construction-related installation work that follows the design phase.

What's Included in Class 42

Class 42 includes mainly services provided by persons, individually or collectively, in relation to the theoretical and practical aspects of complex fields of activities; such services are provided by members of professions such as chemists, physicists, engineers, computer programmers, etc.

  • the services of engineers and scientists who undertake evaluations, estimates, research and reports in the scientific and technological fields (including technological consultancy);
  • computer and technology services for securing computer data and personal and financial information and for the detection of unauthorized access to data and information;
  • scientific research services for medical purposes.
  • business research and evaluations (Cl. 35);
  • word processing and computer file management services (Cl. 35);
  • financial and fiscal evaluations (Cl. 36);
  • mining and oil extraction (Cl. 37);
  • computer (hardware) installation and repair services (Cl. 37);
☁️ Software as a Service (SaaS)
🌐 Website design and development
🖥️ Cloud computing and data hosting
🔬 Scientific research and testing
✏️ Industrial design services
🔐 Cybersecurity and data protection
✅ Quality assurance and testing
📐 Architecture and engineering design

Top Filers in Class 42

#OwnerFilings
1AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.469
2GOOGLE LLC356
3LIGHT & WONDER, INC.266
4MICROSOFT CORPORATION259
5INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (IBM)243
6LEMON INC.185
7SWITCH, LTD.181
8APPLE, INC.177
9BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH164
10HGIP LTD141

Top Law Firms in Class 42

#FirmTotal
1LZ Legal Services, LLC5,432
2Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP3,915
3Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP3,835
4LegalForce RAPC Worldwide, P.C.3,775
5BARNES & THORNBURG LLP3,597
6Greenberg Traurig, LLP3,262
7PERKINS COIE LLP3,199
8Cooley LLP3,133
9DLA Piper LLP (US)3,122
10Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.2,878

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Featured Research

Editorial deep dives spanning Nice Class 42 and adjacent classes

Search Software, IT Services & Scientific Research Trademarks

Explore 365,911 live trademarks in Software, IT Services & Scientific Research. Search by name, owner, or serial number — then filter by Class 42.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Class 9 and Class 42 for software?

Class 9 covers downloadable software sold as a product (mobile apps, desktop programs). Class 42 covers software provided as a service (SaaS, cloud platforms, web applications accessed through a browser). Most modern software companies file in both classes.

Does Class 42 cover AI and machine learning services?

Yes. Artificial intelligence services, machine learning platforms, data analytics, and related technological services are classified in Class 42 as scientific and technological services.

Are IT consulting services in Class 42?

Yes. IT consulting, technology consulting, and computer systems analysis and design services belong in Class 42. Business consulting (non-technical) belongs in Class 35.

What about blockchain and Web3 services?

Blockchain technology services, smart contract development, and Web3 platform development belong in Class 42. Financial transactions using blockchain belong in Class 36.

Are SaaS platforms classified in Class 42 or Class 9?

Software provided as a service (SaaS) through cloud access belongs in Class 42. Downloadable software sold as a product belongs in Class 9. Most software companies file in both classes to cover both delivery methods, since the same product is often offered as both a download and a cloud service.

Does Class 42 cover UX and UI design services?

Yes. User experience design, user interface design, and web design services belong in Class 42 as computer-related design services. Graphic design for advertising and marketing purposes belongs in Class 35. Industrial and fashion design are also Class 42.

Where do data hosting and cloud storage fall?

Cloud storage, data hosting, server hosting, and database management services all belong in Class 42. Internet access provision (the connectivity) belongs in Class 38. The physical servers and hardware belong in Class 9. Most cloud providers file in both Class 42 and Class 38.

Are quality assurance and software testing in Class 42?

Yes. Software quality assurance, testing, debugging, and code review services belong in Class 42. Product quality testing and inspection for physical goods also belongs in Class 42 as scientific testing services. Business process quality consulting moves to Class 35.

Does Class 42 cover environmental and sustainability consulting?

Environmental testing, monitoring, and scientific research services belong in Class 42. Environmental business consulting and sustainability strategy belong in Class 35. The distinction depends on whether the service is technical and scientific (Class 42) or business-oriented (Class 35).

How should an AI company approach trademark classification?

AI companies typically need Class 42 for AI and machine learning platform services, Class 9 for downloadable AI software, Class 35 for business analytics powered by AI, and Class 38 if the AI provides communication services. The specific application of the AI determines which additional classes are needed.

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