{"id":157,"date":"2026-11-01T15:18:57","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-saas-app-classes\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:47","slug":"japan-trademark-saas-app-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-saas-app-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"SaaS and App Trademarks in Japan: Why Class 42 Alone Leaves Gaps (Classes 9, 35 and More)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;We are a SaaS company \u2014 class 42 is enough in Japan, right?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;We also have a mobile app. Do we need class 9?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;Our investors asked whether our Japanese trademark is in order.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">These are the questions we hear most often from overseas software, app and SaaS companies entering Japan. The short answer: <strong>class 42 alone leaves gaps<\/strong> for most SaaS and app businesses. A competitor \u2014 or a local reseller \u2014 can register the same name in a neighbouring class, and you may only find out when you launch in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">This guide, written by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto), explains how the Japan Patent Office (JPO) treats software and online services, and how to choose classes with your product roadmap in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>What you will learn<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 9 vs class 42 \u2014 how the JPO separates downloadable software from cloud services<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why the &#8220;cross-class similarity&#8221; between them does not protect you at the examination stage<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Which extra classes your SaaS may need depending on what it actually does<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A priority framework for start-ups with limited budgets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Why software classes are tricky in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Japan, the class is decided not only by <em>what<\/em> you offer but by <em>how<\/em> you deliver it:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Class 9<\/strong> \u2014 computer programs that users download or install (smartphone apps, desktop software, SDKs). They are treated as goods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Class 42<\/strong> \u2014 providing the functions of software over the internet without handing the program to the user (SaaS, ASP, cloud platforms). This is treated as a service.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Most modern products sit on both sides: a browser version plus an iOS\/Android app, or a subscription service with a downloadable client. If you file only one class, part of your product is unprotected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 9: your defence line for apps<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">General computer programs in class 9 carry the JPO similarity group code <strong>11C01<\/strong>, and programs for very different purposes share that code. Even a B2B SaaS company can therefore be blocked in Japan if someone registers the same name in class 9 \u2014 and you will need class 9 the day you release a mobile app.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>You probably need class 9 if\u2026<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You offer, or plan to offer, an iOS \/ Android app<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You distribute desktop or offline software<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Users can download a client in addition to the browser version<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You provide an API client library or SDK to third parties<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 42: the core of SaaS \u2014 and the &#8220;cross-class similarity&#8221; trap<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 42 &#8220;providing computer programs&#8221; covers SaaS itself. Under JPO practice, class 9 programs and class 42 &#8220;providing computer programs&#8221; are linked by a note of cross-class similarity (<em>bik\u014d ruiji<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Cross-class similarity in one sentence<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Goods and services with different similarity codes that the JPO notes as similar to each other. Owning one may help you fight a later registration of the other \u2014 but the examiner does <strong>not<\/strong> apply it when examining a third party&#8217;s application.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">So &#8220;we have class 42, class 9 is covered&#8221; is a dangerous assumption. A third party&#8217;s class 9 application can still be registered, and you would then need an opposition or invalidation action \u2014 more time and cost. Filing both classes from the start is the practical solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Extra classes depending on what your SaaS does<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japan classifies by the business your software supports, not only by &#8220;software&#8221;. Typical additions:<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What your SaaS does<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class you may also need<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Advertising, marketing automation<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">35 (advertising, sales promotion for others)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Recruitment, HR management<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">35 (employment agency, personnel management)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Payments, fintech, asset management<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">36 (financial services)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Real-estate management or brokerage<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">36 (real estate affairs)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">E-learning, training<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">41 (education)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Healthcare, wellness<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">44 (medical, health services)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Business consulting tools<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">35 (business management consulting)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Example: a recruitment SaaS registered only in classes 9 and 42 may find a competitor registering the same name for &#8220;employment agency services&#8221; in class 35. Arguing &#8220;we only provide software&#8221; often does not help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Similarity codes: the same &#8220;software&#8221; may not be protected<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within class 9, some program types carry different similarity codes from general programs \u2014 for example programs for home video-game machines. If you are a game or entertainment app publisher, a registration for &#8220;computer programs&#8221; in general may not reach every product you sell. The exact wording of your goods also changes which codes are given, so drafting matters as much as choosing the class.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#ffebee;border-color:#ef9a9a;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#ef5350;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Common mistakes in self-filing or low-cost filing<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing only class 9 or only class 42<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Ignoring the class of the business the software supports<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Not planning for a pivot or new product line<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Vague goods\/services wording that narrows the protection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A priority framework for start-ups<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing every possible class is rarely realistic: each extra class adds JPY 8,600 in official filing fees and JPY 32,900 (10 years) or JPY 17,200 (5 years) at registration. Prioritise instead:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Top priority<\/strong> \u2014 the delivery form you use today (42 for SaaS, 9 for apps).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Priority<\/strong> \u2014 the class of the business your software performs (35, 36, 41, 44\u2026).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Medium term<\/strong> \u2014 forms you plan to add (an app, a consumer version).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Case by case<\/strong> \u2014 defensive classes where competitors are likely to file.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Investors running due diligence on a Japan expansion usually ask two things: are the classes right, and do they cover the roadmap? A class-42-only registration rarely answers both.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Filing in Japan as an overseas company<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An applicant without an address in Japan must file through a Japanese patent attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You can file directly in Japan or designate Japan through the Madrid System. If you already filed at home, you can claim Paris Convention priority within 6 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Your name and address can be given in your own language and in English; we prepare the Japanese text.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Examination takes about 9\u201312 months; accelerated examination about 2\u20133 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We already have class 42 in Japan. Do we also need class 9?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. If you have, or may launch, a mobile or desktop app, yes. Cross-class similarity is not applied at examination, so a third party could still register in class 9.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We run an HR-tech platform. Which classes besides 9 and 42?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Class 35 (employment agency, personnel management) is often relevant. It depends on exactly what your platform does.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Isn&#8217;t it safest to file every class?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It is costly and rarely necessary. Choosing the right classes precisely, with priorities, is more effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. We might pivot. What should we file now?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. File the classes for your current product, then add classes as the roadmap firms up \u2014 but check early whether the name is free in the classes you are likely to need.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 42 alone often leaves gaps for SaaS and apps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Class 9 and class 42 are cross-class similar, but this is not applied at examination \u2014 file both.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Add the class of the business your software performs (35, 36, 41, 44\u2026).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Prioritise by current product, business area and roadmap.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent fees: JPY 25,000 per class at filing and at registration; free prior search when you instruct us to file.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"related-articles\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Related articles<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_classes\/\">Trademark Classes in Japan: How to Choose from the 45 Nice Classes and Describe Your Goods\/Services<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-intent-to-use\/\">&#8220;Intent to Use&#8221; Refusals in Japan: Too Many Goods, Class 35 Retail and How to Respond<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-company-name-trademark\/\">Should You Register Your Company Name as a Trademark in Japan? Guide for Foreign Companies<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_search\/\">Trademark Search in Japan: How to Check Prior Marks Before Filing (and What People Miss)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f0f7ff; border: 2px solid #0066cc; padding: 20px; margin: 24px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Planning to protect your brand in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nTell us your mark and your products \u2014 we will reply with the classes you need and a fixed quote, free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)<br \/>\nToru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #0066cc; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Get a free quote for your Japanese trademark<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Japanese patent attorney explains how SaaS and app companies should choose trademark classes in Japan: class 9 vs 42, cross-class similarity, and extra classes like 35, 36 and 41.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":321,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trademark"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":221,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157\/revisions\/221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}