Tenth Edition of Nice Classification comes into force

The State Administration of Industry and Commerce has announced the adoption of the 10th edition of the Nice Classification with effect from 1st January 2012.

The new edition makes various changes to the classification of items across several classes, as well as to the class headings, explanatory notes and general remarks. For example, “amusement and game apparatus adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor” are now classified in Class 28 instead of Class 9; and “dietary supplements for humans and animals” now fall into Class 5 instead of Classes 29, 30 and 31. “Retail services” which to date have been unregistrable remain so.

The 10th edition applies to applications filed on or after 1st January 2012. However, applications filed before that date will not be reclassified; nor will applications filed before that date be reclassified at the time of renewal. The Chinese Trademark Office is due to announce shortly the subclasses into which these reclassified goods or services will fall.