Overview of the Nice Classification

The Nice Classification is a system for classifying goods and services and is used by most trade mark jurisdictions. Given that it has to accommodate new goods and services it is subject to ongoing revision. Currently, there are 34 goods classes and 11 services classes. The classification of goods and services is not an essential part of a system for registering trade marks, however there are a number of mainly administrative benefits for doing so.

• It makes it easier to search for and ascertain whether the identical or similar mark has already been registered or applied for in respect of identical or similar goods or services.
• It allows intellectual property offices to charge per class applied for – thereby allowing charges to roughly be in proportion to the monopoly being claimed.
• Given that it has been adopted by most jurisdictions, applications do not need to be reclassified when entering those jurisdictions – although the wording of the specification can require amendment.

While applications are charged per class the monopoly applied for is determined (ultimately by the courts) by the scope of the specification of goods and/or services and what is considered similar thereto. It is possible for identical marks to be registered in the same class by different proprietors. It is also possible for a mark in one class to prevent the registration of the same mark in a different class.

The following class headings give a broad indication of the types of goods or services that are classified under each of the classes. Even the full version of the current listings is not exhaustive, but will usually indicate at least similar goods or services to those of interest.

Goods

Class 1
Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry.

Class 2
Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art.

Class 3
Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices.

Class 4
Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.

Class 5
Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.

Class 6
Common metals and their alloys; metal building materials; transportable buildings of metal; materials of metal for railway tracks; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; ironmongery, small items of metal hardware; pipes and tubes of metal; safes; ores.

Class 7
Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines.

Class 8
Hand tools and implements (hand-operated); cutlery; side arms; razors.

Class 9
Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus.

Class 10
Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials.

Class 11
Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.

Class 12
Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.

Class 13
Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks.

Class 14
Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments.

Class 15
Musical instruments.

Class 16
Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' materials; paintbrushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging; printers' type; printing blocks.

Class 17
Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.

Class 18
Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags; umbrellas and parasols; walking sticks; whips, harness and saddlery.

Class 19
Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal.

Class 20
Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, ivory, whalebone or mother-of-pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber.

Class 21
Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paintbrushes); brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steelwool; unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware.

Class 22
Ropes and string; nets; tents, awnings and tarpaulins; sails; sacks; padding and stuffing materials (except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics); raw fibrous textile materials.

Class 23
Yarns and threads, for textile use.

Class 24
Textiles and substitutes for textiles; bed covers; table covers.

Class 25
Clothing, footwear, headgear.

Class 26
Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers.

Class 27
Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings (non-textile).

Class 28
Games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees.

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.

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.

Class 31
Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products; raw and unprocessed grains and seeds; fresh fruits and vegetables; natural plants and flowers; live animals; foodstuffs for animals; malt.

Class 32
Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages.

Class 33
Alcoholic beverages (except beers).

Class 34
Tobacco; smokers' articles; matches.

Services

Class 35
Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions.

Class 36
Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs; real estate affairs.

Class 37
Building construction; repair; installation services.

Class 38
Telecommunications.

Class 39
Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.

Class 40
Treatment of materials.

Class 41
Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities.

Class 42
Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software.

Class 43
Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation.

Class 44
Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services.

Class 45
Legal services; security services for the protection of property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals.

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