11th Edition of the Nice Classification comes into effect January 2017

On 1 January 2017, the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification will come into force, taking effect for five years.

In this edition, the headings of classes 3, 6, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 31 and 45 will be modified. In addition, the Explanatory Notes of classes 5, 11, 29, 30, 35, 42 and 44 will also have some amendments.

From these amendments, we highlight the one concerning the heading of class 10, where: “therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for the disabled; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity apparatus, devices and articles” have been added, and the heading of class 45, where: “Legal services; Security services for the protection of property and individuals; Personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals” have changed for: “Legal services; security services for the physical protection of tangible property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals”. This class’s Explanatory Notes will also be amended in this regard.

It is important to note that, as expected, the list of classification for goods and services for trademarks’ registration will also have some amendments.

Thus, the new technologies’ supporters shall be satisfied by verifying that all smart accessories/trimmings will be found on class 9. The smart rings will be a new entry on class 9, however, the so called smart clothes, even though being a smart accessory, belong to class 25, since its main function, to cover the human body, undoubtfully overlaps with all the others.

As for the class 45, it will be added: “dog walking services”, “leasing of internet domain names”, inter alia.

As expected, this new Nice Classification will explicitly embody the new technologies and its related services.