The 2016 version of the 10th edition of the Nice Classification of goods and services for trade marks includes changes to a number of class headings with the aim of making them more specific and useful to understanding the nature of the goods or services contained within a class. The 2016 version of the Nice Classification will come into force in Australia on 1 January 2016. A complete listing of the changes to the Nice Classification (including the new class headings) can be found here: http://web2.wipo.int/nef/en/project/1452/NC016
In line with the updates to the class headings, trade mark applications with a lodgement or priority date on or after 1 January 2016 and containing the following goods and services specifications (or equivalent) will not be accepted:
CLASS 06: Goods of common metal not included in other classes
CLASS 16: Goods made from paper or cardboard (not included in other classes)
CLASS 17: Goods made from rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos or mica, not included in other classes
CLASS 18: Goods made of leather or imitation leather, not included in other classes
CLASS 20: Goods (not included in other classes) of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials
The ATMOSS Goods & Services search and the Trade Marks E-form picklist will be updated accordingly on 1 January 2016.
Specifications of goods and services for trade mark applications filed after 1 January 2016 must be filed in accordance with this version of the Nice Classification.
Please note that there are no plans to re-classify registered trade marks or trade mark applications lodged prior to 1 January 2016.
For more information contact us to speak to Chrissie Norman in our Trade Marks and Designs section.