Nice Classification
From HAKItree
The information on this page was sourced from WIPO, but has been edited for the purposes of this site. The original text can be obtained here.
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Background
The Nice Classification is a classification system for goods and services for the purposes of registering trademarks and service marks. It is based on a multilateral treaty administered by WIPO, the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks, which was concluded in 1957. The Nice Agreement is open to countries that are party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
How does it work?
The Nice Classification groups goods and services into 45 classes. The trademark offices of the contracting member states of the Nice Agreement are required to use the class numbering system for goods and services, and state the number on their trademark application forms and registration certificates. This simplifies the trademark registration process for trademark owners registering in multiple jurisdictions, as the goods and services to which a given mark applies will be classified in the same way in all countries that have adopted it.
Use by member and non-member states
In January 2009, 83 States were party to the Nice Agreement. In addition to these members, a further 65 non-member states - including Indonesia - apply the Nice Classification.
Structure and format
The Nice Classification consists of two parts:
- the Class Headings accompanied by Explanatory Notes
- an Alphabetical List of Goods and Services, with the class in which each product or service is placed.
There are:
- 34 classes of goods
- 11 classes of services.
The Class Headings describe in very broad terms the nature of the goods or services. They are accompanied, where appropriate, by Explanatory Notes which describe in greater detail the type of product or service included in the classes concerned. The Alphabetical List comprises about 10,000 indications referring to goods and 1,000 indications referring to services.
Updating the Nice Classification
In order to keep the Nice Classification up to date, it is continuously revised and a new edition is published every five years. The current (ninth) edition has been in force since January 1, 2007. The revision is carried out by a Committee of Experts set under the Nice Agreement. All States party to the Agreement are members of the Committee of Experts.
