Trademark Class 39: Transport, Packaging & Storage Services

Trademark law is a vital component of intellectual property (IP) rights, acting as a shield for business identity and a catalyst for brand value creation. Among the diverse sectors protected under Indian law, transportation and logistics—foundational to modern commerce require clear legal protections for their service marks. This is where Trademark Class 39 comes into play. As one of the key service classes defined under the internationally recognized Nice Classification system, Class 39 is dedicated exclusively to transportation, storage, and logistics services.

Trademark Class 39 not only safeguards the visual and commercial identities of transporters, shipping companies, and storage providers, but also builds consumer trust, prevents confusion, and empowers legal recourse against infringement. For any entity moving goods or people within, into, or out of India from courier startups to multinational freight enterprises understanding and utilizing Class 39 trademark protection is a strategic imperative.

Registering your brand under Class 39 is more than administrative compliance; it’s about ensuring the sustainability, scalability, and exclusivity of your services in an era driven by e-commerce, fast logistics, supply chain innovation, and complex mobility solutions. For legal professionals and business owners alike, making informed decisions around Class 39 could well determine the future trajectory of your business.

Overview of Trademark Classes

At the heart of efficient and fair trademark registration lies the Nice Classification system. Developed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Nice Classification organizes all goods and services into 45 distinct classes—Classes 1-34 for goods, and Classes 35-45 for services. The aim of this harmonized system is to streamline trademark processes globally, avoid overlap, and ensure businesses are protected within their relevant markets.

Each trademark class functions as a category, helping applicants and examiners clearly position a brand’s function and sector. For example, a software company would look at Class 9 (for goods) or Class 42 (for digital services), while a food manufacturer would file under Classes 29 or 30. This tidy classification ensures the scope of protection is well-defined, and that businesses don’t inadvertently step on each other’s IP toes.

Within this structure, Trademark Class 39 is the cornerstone for all transportation, travel, storage, and logistics services. Unlike goods-oriented classes, Class 39 focuses on the intangible but critical aspects of moving people and goods. As mobility services multiply—think cab aggregators, air cargo, digital logistics apps, and warehousing specialists—the legal clarity of Class 39 is essential for both domestic firms and international players operating in India.

Correct trademark classification is more than a technical detail. It is fundamental to enforceability, renewals, brand growth, and minimizing legal conflict.

Core Services under Trademark Class 39

Trademark Class 39 covers services related to the physical movement of goods and people, storage, and travel arrangements. Below is a breakdown of what’s included:

Transportation and Logistics Services

Land transport (railways, buses, taxis, truck fleets, courier delivery)
Water transport (shipping lines, barge operators, ferry services)
Air transport (commercial airlines, air cargo, air charter, drone logistics)
Freight forwarding, logistics, and supply chain management
Express delivery and courier services
Vehicle rental, chartering, and carpooling platforms
Cargo handling, transshipment, and container management

Packaging and Storage of Goods

Warehousing and storage facilities (cold storage, bonded warehouses)
Storage and preservation of goods (perishables, valuables)
Packaging, crating, and labeling for transport
Parcel lockers and automated storage solutions

Travel Arrangement Services

Tour operator services (booking, routing, itinerary planning)
Travel agency assistance (ticketing, reservations, consultancy)
Information services related to travel, transport timetables, and route planning
Airport, port, and station transfer, meet-and-greet, shuttle operations

Ancillary and Modern Mobility Services

Fleet management and aggregation (app-based cabs, logistics tech)
Ship broking and aircraft chartering
Logistics SaaS platforms, supply chain IT management
Shipping insurance arrangement and customs brokerage services

Examples of Businesses Registering Under Class 39

Indian national and regional airline carriers (Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet)
Inter-city rail operators (Indian Railways, IRCTC tourism)
Road freight and courier giants (Blue Dart Express, FedEx, Delhivery, DTDC)
Third-party logistics providers (DHL, Allcargo, Safexpress, Gati)
Online travel aggregators (Yatra, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip)
Cab aggregators and fleets (Ola, Uber India, Savaari)
Tourism operators & travel agents (Thomas Cook India, Cox & Kings)
Innovators in warehousing storage (Snowman, DHL Supply Chain)
Specialized packaging/handling companies (VRL Logistics, TCI Express)

More List

air transport
aircraft rental
rental of aircraft engines
ambulance transport
armored-car transport
barge transport
boat rental
boat transport
boat storage
booking of seats for travel
bottling services
bus transport
car rental
car transport
car parking
carting
chauffeur services
courier services [messages or merchandise]
arranging of cruises
delivery of goods
delivery of newspapers / newspaper delivery
delivery of goods by mail order
distribution of energy
rental of diving bells
rental of diving suits
providing driving directions for travel purposes
electricity distribution
escorting of travellers
ferry-boat transport
flower delivery
franking of mail
rental of freezers
freight [shipping of goods]
freight forwarding
freight brokerage [forwarding (Am.)] / freight brokerage
freighting
garage rental
gift wrapping
guarded transport of valuables
hauling
horse rental
ice-breaking
launching of satellites for others
lighterage services
marine transport
message delivery
rental of motor racing cars
motor coach rental
rental of navigational systems
operating canal locks
packaging of goods
parcel delivery
parking place rental
passenger transport
physical storage of electronically-stored data or documents
piloting
pleasure boat transport
porterage
railway transport
railway coach rental
railway truck rental
refloating of ships
refrigerator rental / frozen-food locker rental
removal services
rescue operations [transport]
river transport
salvage of ships
salvaging
shipbrokerage
sightseeing [tourism]
stevedoring
storage of goods
storage / warehousing
storage information
rental of storage containers
taxi transport
towing
traffic information
tram transport / streetcar transport
transport by pipeline
transport
transport of travellers
transport and storage of waste / transport and storage of trash
transport brokerage
transport reservation
transportation information
transportation logistics
transporting furniture
arranging of travel tours
travel reservation
underwater salvage
unloading cargo
vehicle breakdown assistance [towing]
vehicle rental
rental of vehicle roof racks
rental of warehouses
water supplying
water distribution
rental of wheelchairs
wrapping of goods

For any business providing mobility, shipment, storage, or travel arrangement, Class 39 is where your brand’s identity and reputation are recognized and protected by law.

Importance of Registering Under Class 39

Business Benefits

Exclusive Brand Rights:
Registration gives you monopoly rights over your mark in all Class 39 services—no other entity can operate with a confusingly similar name or logo in transportation, logistics, or travel.
Customer Confidence & Market Expansion:
A registered mark enhances your credibility with consumers, government agencies, and global trade partners. It’s often mandatory in RFPs, big-ticket contracts, or cross-border deals.
Prevention of Infringement:
Trademarked brands can easily take legal action against unauthorized use or “passing off.” This is vital in a sector where counterfeiting, copycat portals, and fraudulent logistics activities are rampant.
Asset for Growth:
Your trademark can be franchised, licensed, assigned, or valued as an intangible asset for fundraising, mergers, or expansion—turning brand equity into financial muscle.

Legal Implications and Protections

Statutory Protection: You get nationwide (and, with extensions, international) protection under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Remedies Available: Enforcement through civil suits, criminal actions, seizure of fake goods, blocking of infringing websites and apps.
Brand Continuity: Even after business model pivots (e.g., from offline logistics to digital platform), your core brand rights persist under Class 39.
Defense in Online Commerce: Marketplace compliance teams often require Class 39 marks to onboard or promote logistics and travel service partners.

Case Studies & Examples

Delhivery: Registered its mark across logistics, courier, and transportation, fending off copycats on multiple platforms.
Ola Cabs: Fought impersonation with legal action, securing court-ordered blocks of fraudulent websites and fake ride apps.
DHL and Blue Dart: As industry pioneers, their Class 39 registrations have facilitated seamless franchise and partner expansions while preventing unauthorized use.

Process of Trademark Registration in Class 39

Trademark Search

Before applying, check the availability of your desired name or logo using the online trademark search database. This mitigates the risk of conflict and opposition. Use professional services like trademark search for an expert audit.

Preparing the Application

File under Form TM-A.
Draft a precise description—covering every aspect of your transport, storage, and travel services.
Attach the wordmark/logo and applicant’s ID/proof.
For startups or established companies, include business registration documents.

Filing the Application

Submit online via the IP India website or seek a legal expert’s support for trademark registration.
Class 39 must be prominently mentioned.

Examination and Objections

The Registry assesses for conflicts, legal/compliance risks, or descriptive names.
If objected, file a strong reply, ideally through professional help (kaagzaat.org/trademark-objection-reply/).
Common issues: brand is too generic, or conflicts with a prior-registered mark in a similar transportation/logistics service.

Publication and Opposition

Once accepted, the mark is published in the Trademark Journal (public opposition period is 4 months).
Be ready to defend your application if contested.

Registration Certificate & Renewal

On clearing the above, you’ll receive a certificate—your mark is now protected for 10 years.
Renew indefinitely every 10 years to enjoy perpetual rights for trademark-renewal.

Documentation Checklist

Logo and wordmark
Detailed service list
Proof of use or business (if any)
Power of attorney (if using an agent)
Government fee receipt

Challenges may include:

Similarity objections, delays in examination, or lack of distinctiveness. Overcome these with distinctive branding, clear legal drafting, and early expert involvement.

Conclusion

Trademark Class 39 stands as a pillar for all businesses driving India’s transport and logistics revolution. It not only distinguishes your services in a sea of new entrants and global competition, but also offers the legal, commercial, and strategic cover that ensures your business is scalable and future-proof. Understanding the Nice Classification—and picking the right class—isn’t just for lawyers; it’s an essential business skill for any forward-thinking enterprise.

Businesses today, whether legacy fleets or digital-first delivery startups, cannot afford ambiguity over their intellectual property. The right Class 39 registration lets you build brand equity, earn client trust, and deploy legal muscle against infringement or misrepresentation cornerstones for sustainable success in transportation and logistics.