Introduction
The backbone of global and domestic commerce lies in movement of people, goods, and services. Whether it’s a courier company, cargo carrier, taxi aggregator, warehousing firm, or online travel portal, these services are all legally protected under Trademark Class 39.
With India’s growing emphasis on eCommerce, quick commerce (Q-commerce), intercity transport, and global logistics, businesses in this sector need to protect their brand, route-specific services, and digital delivery models from copycats.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Class 39, including:
- What services it covers
- Real-world examples
- What’s excluded
- Trademark filing and compliance tips
- Branding suggestions for transport and travel companies
- FAQs and legal benefits
Legal Definition – Trademark Class 39 (India)
As per the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Nice Classification (11th edition), Trademark Class 39 includes:
“Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.”
This class protects brand identity in businesses involved in:
- Physical movement of goods/people
- Warehousing and logistics
- Courier and shipping
- Travel bookings and transport aggregators
- Cargo, air, sea, and rail transport
What’s Covered Under Trademark Class 39
Transport and Delivery Services
- Courier and parcel delivery
- Last-mile delivery
- Express cargo and shipping
- Intercity and intracity delivery (e.g., Dunzo, Porter)
- Bike, car, or van-based transport services
- Cross-border shipment or freight forwarding
Warehousing & Storage
- Cold storage and refrigerated transport
- Industrial warehousing
- Fulfillment centers for eCommerce
- Bonded warehouses and customs-approved storage
- Third-party logistics (3PL) and 4PL services
Travel and Booking Services
- Travel agency and ticket booking (bus, rail, air)
- Tour operators
- Cab aggregators (Uber, Ola)
- Shuttle and ride services
- Chauffeur-driven car services
- Hotel transportation and airport shuttles
- Vacation and package tour logistics
Freight and Cargo
- Air cargo carriers
- Ocean freight services
- Container transport and tracking
- Inland waterway shipping
- Trucking, rail cargo, and logistics coordination
- Courier aggregation (like Shiprocket, Delhivery)
Digital Logistics Platforms
- Real-time shipment tracking apps
- eCommerce delivery management systems
- Vehicle routing software with integrated delivery
- Logistics SaaS platforms
- Freight and cargo bidding platforms
Real-World Class 39 Trademark Examples
| Brand Name | Filed For |
|---|---|
| BLUE DART | Courier and cargo delivery |
| DELHIVERY | Logistics, warehousing, fulfillment |
| DHL | Cross-border shipping and courier services |
| SHIPROCKET | Shipping aggregator for online sellers |
| PORTER | Intra-city logistics and local transport |
| EKART | eCommerce delivery for Flipkart |
| GATI | Express cargo and freight |
| DTDC | Document and parcel delivery |
| INDIGO CARGO | Airline cargo and express freight |
| OLA / UBER | Cab aggregation and mobility services |
| YATRA / MAKEMYTRIP | Travel booking, trip planning |
| TURBO COURIERS | Hyperlocal Q-commerce delivery |
What is Not Included in Class 39
Some services that seem related are actually filed under different classes:
| Service | Correct Class |
|---|---|
| Delivery of digital content (e.g. files) | Class 42 |
| Vehicle manufacturing or parts | Class 12 |
| Travel insurance or financial coverage | Class 36 |
| Vehicle repair and maintenance | Class 37 |
| Logistics software or tracking apps | Class 42 |
| Travel agency consultancy | Class 35 |
| Educational travel programs | Class 41 |
Rule of Thumb: Class 39 covers movement of physical goods or people, not software, insurance, education, or vehicle manufacturing.
Who Should Register in Class 39?
- Deliver goods or documents physically
- Arrange travel and transport
- Aggregate logistics or courier services
- Offer freight, shipping, or warehousing
- Provide cold storage or containerized transport
- Enable real-time transport through platforms or apps
- Offer cab, shuttle, or taxi mobility
Why Trademark Class 39 is Important
In the logistics and travel sector, trust, speed, and branding go hand in hand. Class 39 ensures legal ownership of your brand, especially when:
- You scale across cities or countries
- Compete with aggregators and third-party vendors
- Build digital logistics or courier platforms
- Deliver high-value or perishable goods
- Offer route-based or geo-specific services
Legal & Business Benefits:
- Prevent brand cloning or lookalike couriers
- Protect platform name, delivery labels, uniforms
- Secure logos for delivery boxes or vehicles
- Required for eCommerce integration (Amazon, Flipkart)
- Valuable in investor pitches or tender documentation
- Enables white-label logistics and API integrations
- Facilitates licensing and warehousing contracts
Trademark Filing Process – Class 39 (India)
✅ Step-by-Step Filing Guide:
- Search for Trademark Availability
Use IP India Public Search to check brand name availability under Class 39. - Draft TM-A Application
Use accurate descriptions like:
“Courier and parcel delivery; warehousing and fulfillment; travel booking; transportation logistics services.” - File Application Online
Use ipindiaonline.gov.in or apply via a licensed trademark attorney. - Registrar Examination
Registrar checks for distinctiveness and conflict. - Publication in Journal
Your mark is published for 4 months for opposition. - Certificate Issued
If unopposed, your trademark is registered for 10 years, renewable.
Documents Required:
- PAN or Aadhaar of applicant
- Logo image (if filing as device mark)
- MSME/Udyam registration (optional for discounted fees)
- TM-48 (Power of Attorney if filed by agent)
- Brochure or website (optional but helpful)
Madrid Protocol for Class 39 – Global Filing
Expanding internationally? Protect your delivery, travel, or logistics brand in 100+ countries through Madrid Protocol.
| Country | Trademark Class |
|---|---|
| India | Class 39 |
| USA | Class 039 |
| UK | Class 39 |
| EU | Class 39 |
| WIPO (Madrid) | Class 39 |
Ideal for:
- International shipping startups
- Cross-border travel and freight aggregators
- Global cargo and airline service providers
Common Mistakes in Class 39 Trademark Filing
- Filing app-only logistics platforms under Class 42 only (also file in 39)
- Using generic service descriptions like “transport services” – must be specific
- Forgetting to file for sub-brands like “Porter Insta”, “ShipXpress”
- Assuming eCommerce brands don’t need Class 39 – you do if you handle logistics
- Filing only device/logo mark but not the word mark
Tips for Class 39 Applicants
- Mention all relevant services: shipping, storage, delivery, travel
- If you’re a ticket booking or travel site, file for “travel arrangement and reservation”
- For fulfillment centers, mention “warehousing and packaging”
- Include “logistics aggregation” or “last-mile delivery” if you’re a platform
- Don’t forget to file the app’s name/logo under Class 39 if it facilitates transport
FAQs – Trademark Class 39
- Q1. Is online travel booking covered? ✅ Yes
- Q2. Is a courier company like DTDC included? ✅ Yes
- Q3. What about warehousing and cold storage? ✅ Yes
- Q4. Are food delivery platforms like Zomato part of Class 39? ✅ Yes (for delivery)
- Q5. Is a cab service app like Uber covered? ✅ Yes
- Q6. Is digital content delivery included? ❌ No
- Q7. Can I protect my packaging and labels? ✅ Yes
- Q8. Is fleet management included? ✅ Yes
- Q9. Do airlines need Class 39? ✅ Yes
- Q10. Are third-party logistics providers (3PLs) included? ✅ Yes
Conclusion
Trademark Class 39 is essential for any business that deals with transportation, logistics, travel arrangements, storage, courier, or warehousing. Whether you’re launching a new hyperlocal delivery startup or scaling an international freight operation, your brand needs legal protection from imitators and cyber squatters.
At RegistrationMART, we help:
- Choose the right description of services
- File Class 39 trademark applications (name, logo, series)
- Respond to objections, oppositions, and coordinate renewals
- Assist in Madrid Protocol global filings
- Create a multi-class strategy for hybrid travel-logistics businesses
🔐 Get Expert Help Today
📞 Call Us: +91-7201000259
🌐 Visit: www.registrationmart.in
📧 Email: support@registrationmart.in
