In this post, we explained how to do Trademark Registration for Legal and Consultancy Services in Nigeria, the meaning of trademark Class 45, the cost and procedures, requirements, list of Services included and Services Not included in Class 45, the procedure for trademark registration in Nigeria. You can use Aziza Nigeria for your trademark registration, Aziza accredited agent in Nigeria.
The best way to do trademark registration in Nigeria is to use accredited agent. Trademark Class 45 is for registering legal, social and security services. It mainly includes legal services; security services for the protection of individuals and property; social and personal services that are rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals.
Read: Business/ Company Registration in Nigeria
One of the most critical steps in the registration process is choosing the correct trademark class. A company’s brand is the first impression the public has of their product or service. That’s why most companies want to protect their brand by registering their trademarks.
Registration of a Trademark in Nigeria
An important criterion for the registration of a trademark in Nigeria is that such trademark must be distinctive. Trademarks which are deceptive, scandalous or identical to an already registered trademark in respect of the same goods or service are not eligible for registration in Nigeria.
It is pertinent to note that trademark registration in Nigeria is done in accordance with the Nice Classification established by the Nice Agreement of 1957, which provides for the classes of goods and services under which business owners may apply for the registration of their trade mark. Business owners are required to register their trade mark under the class which the business description of the trade mark falls. The implication of this is that the trade mark will only be protected under the class in which the trademark is registered by the business owner.
Read: Local Content Registration in Nigeria
Cost of Registering a Trademark in Nigeria
Trademark registration may range between N170,000 (about $430) to N200,000 (about $500). Most people often want to know how much it costs to register a trademark in Nigeria. The price of trademark registration in Nigeria includes the filing fees and the professional fee of the lawyer or agent handling such an application. The price may be differed most times, taking into consideration that the professional fee of various trademark lawyers or agents cannot be the same.
By and large, the total cost, including the professional fee for registering a trademark, may range between N170,000 (about $430) to N200,000(about $500). Another factor that may determine the total cost of trademark registration is whether the trademark is owned by a local or international company or individual.
Services included in Legal and Consultancy Services Trademark
Legal Services: The large majority of personal services included in this class relate to the legal profession. Some examples of the most common include:
- Adoption agency services
- Arbitration services
- Legal research, document preparation services, and services in relation to the negotiation of contracts for others
- Litigation services
- Lost property return
- Civil mediation
- Registration of domain names
- Copyright management
- Intellectual property consultancy
- Licensing of intellectual property
- Monitoring intellectual property rights for legal advisory purposes
Read: Business Registration in Nigeria as Foreigner
Emergency and Safety Services: Lastly, many private emergency and safety services also fall under this class. Some common examples of these types of services include:
- Firefighting
- Safety inspections
- Missing person investigations
- Security alarm monitoring
- Guard services (security guards, night guards, personal body guards)
Licensing: Class 45 also covers many general licensing services, such as:
- Legal administration of licenses
- Licensing of computer software
- Licensing in the framework of software publishing
Lifestyle Services: This class also protects certain spiritual lifestyle services. These services can include:
- Astrology
- Fortune-telling and horoscope casting
- Online social networking services
- Spiritual consultancy
Read: Local Content Registration in Nigeria
Family and Personal Services: Several family-related services are also included in this trademark class, including:
- Babysitting
- Genealogical services
- House sitting
- Pet sitting
- Burial and funeral services
- Personal wardrobe styling consultancy
- Personal letter writing
Interpersonal Services: A lot of the services in this class involve interactions between different people and communities. Some examples include:
- Chaperoning
- Escort services
- Dating services
- Detective agencies
- Wedding planners
- Businesses that organize religious ceremonies
Rental Services: Some personal rental services are also included in Class 45. These can include services that rent out:
- Clothing
- Evening dresses
- Fire alarms and fire extinguishers
- Internet domain names
- Safes
Read: NCEC Certificate Registration
Not Included Services in Legal and Consultancy Services (Class 45) Trademark
several services are related to, but do not fall under, trademark class 45. Generally, this discrepancy is because other trademark classes already cover that form of commerce. Here are a few of these exceptions:
- Services relating to financial or monetary affairs, as well as insurance (Class 36)
- Escorting travelers (Class 39)
- Security transport (Class 39)
- Educational services (Class 41)
- Performances, such as singers and dancers (Class 41)
- Computer programming services that produce software (Class 42)
- Computer and internet security consultations and encryption services (Class 42)
- Services provided by others related to the medical, hygienic, or beauty care of humans and animals (Class 44)
Though the registration of trademarks alone is not sufficient to prevent counterfeiting and imitation from competitors, businesses are encouraged to register their trademarks, as the registration of the mark confers registered holders with the right to enforce it against others.
You can contact Aziza Nigeria for your trademark registration in Nigeria. Aziza Nigeria is an trademark accredited agent in Nigeria.