Trademark Class 9: Electronics & Software

Class 9 is the most popular trademark class for technology companies. It covers computers, downloadable software, mobile apps, electronics, and scientific instruments. If you are building a tech product, you are probably filing here.

What Class 9 Covers

Class 9 has the broadest scope of any goods class, with over 3,100 accepted descriptions. The official heading is "Electrical and Scientific Apparatus," but that undersells what actually falls within this class.

The World Intellectual Property Organization defines five general categories:

Information technology and audiovisual equipment - Computers, phones, tablets, headphones, cameras
Scientific and research instruments - Laboratory equipment, measuring devices, optical instruments
Optical apparatus - Eyeglasses, contact lenses, magnifying glasses
Safety equipment - Fire extinguishers, life-saving apparatus, protective helmets
Electrical control devices - Batteries, chargers, switches, cables

Included in Class 9

Consumer Electronics:

Computers, laptops, tablets, and monitors
Smartphones and mobile phones
Headphones, earbuds, and speakers
Cameras and video recording equipment
Smartwatches and wearable devices
USB drives and external storage

Software and Applications:

Downloadable mobile applications
Downloadable computer software
Operating systems
Computer games (downloadable)
Software development tools

Scientific and Optical:

Laboratory instruments
Microscopes and telescopes
Eyeglasses and contact lenses
Measuring and weighing instruments
GPS devices and navigation equipment

Safety and Electrical:

Fire extinguishers and alarms
Protective helmets and goggles
Batteries and chargers
Power adapters and cables
Solar panels and photovoltaic cells

NOT Included in Class 9

Even if your product uses electricity or technology, it may belong elsewhere:

Electric kitchen appliances (blenders, mixers) → Class 7 (Machinery)
Hair dryers, electric toothbrushes → Class 11 (Environmental Control)
Electric razors and clippers → Class 8 (Hand Tools)
Watches and clocks → Class 14 (Jewelry)
Video game consoles and controllers → Class 28 (Toys & Sporting Goods)
Medical devices and apparatus → Class 10 (Medical Apparatus)
SaaS and cloud software (browser-based) → Class 42 (Technology Services)

Software: Class 9 vs. Class 42

This is the most common classification question for tech companies.

Class 9 (this class): Downloadable software. If users download and install your application on their device, file in Class 9. This includes mobile apps, desktop software, and games.

Class 42: Software as a service (SaaS). If users access your software through a web browser without downloading, file in Class 42. This includes cloud platforms, web applications, and hosted services.

Many companies need both. If you offer a downloadable app AND a web dashboard, you likely need Class 9 for the app and Class 42 for the web service.

Common Goods Descriptions

Using pre-approved descriptions from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual avoids the $200 custom description surcharge.

Popular pre-approved descriptions for Class 9:

Downloadable mobile applications for [specific purpose]
Downloadable computer software for [specific purpose]
Computer hardware
Electronic tablets
Headphones
Protective helmets
Eyeglasses
Batteries
USB flash drives
Smart watches

Important: The USPTO requires specific descriptions. "Computer software" alone is too broad. You must specify the function, such as "Downloadable computer software for project management" or "Downloadable mobile application for fitness tracking."

Well-Known Marks in Class 9

These recognizable brands are registered in Class 9:

Apple - Computers, phones, tablets, headphones, watches, and downloadable software (macOS, iOS, iCloud, Siri)
Microsoft - Computer hardware, software, and gaming accessories
Samsung - Smartphones, tablets, televisions, and consumer electronics
Sony - Cameras, headphones, televisions, and gaming hardware
Google - Hardware devices (Pixel phones, Nest products) and downloadable apps
Adobe - Downloadable creative software
Spotify - Downloadable music streaming application

Filing Tips for Class 9

Be Specific About Software Function

The USPTO will reject vague software descriptions. Instead of "computer software," describe what your software does:

Good: "Downloadable computer software for managing customer relationships"
Bad: "Computer software for business purposes"

Consider Your Full Product Line

If you make both hardware and software, you may need multiple descriptions within Class 9, or you may need additional classes:

Hardware + downloadable software = Class 9 (possibly multiple entries)
Hardware + cloud software = Class 9 + Class 42
Hardware + related services = Class 9 + Class 35 or 42

Specimens for Software

For software trademarks, acceptable specimens include:

Screenshots of the app showing the mark
Website pages where the software is sold or downloaded
Product packaging if software is sold in physical form

Filing Fees

Current USPTO fees for Class 9 trademark applications (2025):

Filing Type	Fee per Class
Electronic filing (ID Manual description)	$350
Electronic filing (custom description)	$550
Paper filing	$1,000

Each additional class adds the same fee. A typical tech company filing in Class 9 and Class 42 pays $700-$1,100 in filing fees.

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Trademark Class 9: Electronics & Software | Complete Filing Guide