Class 38: Telecommunications services

Nice Classification services class, NCL 13-2026.

Class heading

Telecommunications services

Explanatory note

Class 38 includes mainly services that allow at least one party to communicate with another, as well as services for the broadcasting and transmission of data.

This class includes, in particular:

  • transmission of digital files and electronic mail
  • providing user access to global computer networks
  • radio and television broadcasting
  • video-on-demand transmission
  • providing internet chatrooms and online forums
  • telephone and voice mail services
  • teleconferencing and videoconferencing services

This class does not include, in particular:

  • content or subject matter that may be contained in the communication activity, for example, downloadable image files (Class 9), providing business information via a website (Class 35), providing films and television programmes, not downloadable, via video-on-demand services (Class 41)
  • online advertising on a computer network, radio advertising, television advertising (Class 35)
  • services conducted using telecommunication connections, for example, online retail services for downloadable digital music (Class 35), online banking (Class 36)
  • telemarketing services (Class 35)
  • production of radio and television programmes (Class 41)
  • telecommunications technology consultancy (Class 42)
  • online social networking services (Class 45)

Common terms in Class 38

A sample of official terms from the WIPO alphabetical list. Search the full list in the Nice Class Finder.

  • cable television broadcasting
  • communications by computer terminals
  • communications by fibre optic networks
  • communications by telegrams
  • communications by telephone
  • computer aided transmission of messages and images
  • facsimile transmission
  • message sending
  • mobile telephone communication services
  • news agency services
  • providing access to blockchain networks
  • providing access to databases
  • providing chatrooms in virtual environments
  • providing information in the field of telecommunications
  • providing internet chatrooms
  • providing online forums
  • providing online virtual reality-based forums for work collaboration
  • providing telecommunication channels for teleshopping services
  • providing telecommunications connections to a global computer network
  • providing user access to global computer networks
  • radio broadcasting
  • radio communications
  • rental of access time to global computer networks
  • rental of facsimile apparatus
  • rental of message sending apparatus
  • rental of modems
  • rental of smartphones
  • rental of telecommunication equipment
  • rental of telephone answering apparatus
  • rental of telephones

Indicative only. Classification and specifications should be confirmed by an attorney before filing. This is general information, not legal advice.