The Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce published the 9th edition of International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks (Nice), which took effect as of January 1, 2007. Beginning from the very day all commodities applied for registered trademark from the State Trademark Administration must be classified by the new method.

 

On November 1, 1988 China began to apply the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks (Nice), and became member of the Nice Union on August 9, 1994. The 8th edition of the convention was revised the 19th and 20th times by the Experts Committee of the WIPO Nice Union, and on that basis the 9th edition came out. As a member country of the Nice Union, China abides by its promise to the WIPO and began implementing the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks and translated and published its Chinese version so that China’s practice is timely kept in line with international practices and standards. Compared with the 8th edition, the 9th edition has some additions and deletions of some commodities and services, and changed or mitigated some of them. At the same time, changes were made in some categories and notes.

 

On the basis of the 9th edition and of the 2002 edition and in light of China’s practice and experience in trademark examination, the State Trademark Administration has made some adjustment to the current International Classification of Similar Goods and Services in order to better standardize the names of commodities and items of services and to classify commodities and services in a more scientific manner. At present, the Trademark Office of the State General Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Trademark Review Committee are busy preparing for the implementation of the 9th edition of International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purpose of the Registration of Marks (Nice).

2007-01-09

2007-01-09