As many of you will know, the Nice Classification is the international system used to classify goods and services for trade mark purposes. The World Intellectual Property Office regularly updates and amends the Nice Classification in order to ensure that the lists remain current and include new products and services that come to market.
On 1 January 2018, the latest edition of the Nice Classification (the 11th Edition) came into force. There are a number of changes, including amendments to class headings. Significantly, however, no goods or services have changed classes in this edition. For the most part, changes include clarification of current wording and the addition of new goods and services.
Provided below is a brief snapshot of the modifications to the Nice Classification. The table details all changes to the class headings and selected examples of the amendments and additions to the classes. You will be relieved to know that 'selfie lenses' are now expressly listed in class 9.
| Class | Changes to class heading | Examples of changes to goods/services in the class | Examples of new items now expressly included in the class |
| Class 1 | Chemicals used for use in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing and fire prevention compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; substances for tanning substances animal skins and hides; adhesives used for use in industry; putties and other paste fillers; compost, manures, fertilizers; biological preparations for use in industry and science. |
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| Class 2 | Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants, dyes; mordants; inks for printing, marking and engraving; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art. | ||
| Class 3 | Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations; non-medicated dentifrices; perfumery, essential oils; Bleaching bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; non-medicated soaps; perfumery, essential oils, non-medicated cosmetics, non-medicated hair lotions; non-medicated dentifrices. |
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| Class 4 | Industrial oils and greases, wax; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels ( including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting. | ||
| Class 5 | No change |
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| Class 6 | No change | ||
| Class 7 | Machines and, machine tools, power-operated tools; motors and engines (, except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (, except for land vehicles); agricultural implements, other than hand-operated hand tools; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines. |
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| Class 8 | Hand tools and implements (, hand-operated); cutlery; side arms, except firearms; razors. |
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| Class 9 | No change | optical goods eyewear reflecting discs reflective articles for wear, for the prevention of traffic accidents |
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| Class 10 | No change | apparatus for DNA and RNA exams testing for medical purposes |
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| Class 11 | No change |
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| Class 12 | No change |
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| Class 13 | No change | ||
| Class 14 | No change | ||
| Class 15 | No change |
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| Class 16 | Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery and office requisites, except furniture; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' and drawing materials and materials for artists; paintbrushes; instructional and teaching materials; plastic sheets, films and bags for wrapping and packaging; printers' type, printing blocks. |
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| Class 17 | No change | ||
| Class 18 | No change |
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| Class 19 | No change | ||
| Class 20 | No change |
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| Class 21 | Household or kitchen utensils and containers; cookware and tableware, except forks, knives and spoons; combs and sponges; brushes, except paintbrushes; brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass, except building glass; glassware, porcelain and earthenware. |
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| Class 22 | No change |
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| Class 23 | No change | ||
| Class 24 | No change | ||
| Class 25 | No change | ||
| Class 26 | No change |
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| Class 27 | No change | ||
| Class 28 | No change |
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| Class 29 | Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk and milk products; edible oils and fats for food. | ||
| Class 30 | Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; rice; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries and confectionery; edible ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice (frozen water). |
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| Class 31 | No change | ||
| Class 32 | No change |
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| Class 33 | No change | ||
| Class 34 | No change | ||
| Class 35 | No change |
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| Class 36 | No change | check [cheque] verification check verification | |
| Class 37 | No change |
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| Class 38 | No change | ||
| Class 39 | No change | ||
| Class 40 | No change | ||
| Class 41 | No change |
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| Class 42 | No change |
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| Class 43 | No change | ||
| Class 44 | No change | ||
| Class 45 | No change |
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
