Trademark is one of the important assets of a company, which can help the company determine its position in the market and enhance its brand image and recognition. Trademark registration is a key step in protecting trademark rights. The international trademark classification is one of the necessary elements to determine the scope of trademark use and application. When registering a trademark, you must determine which international classification it is registered under. So let’s learn about the introduction of the second-level categories of the international classification for trademark registration.
1. What is the International Trademark Classification?
The International Trademark Classification is a system for assigning different types of trademarks into specific classes and subclasses. This will help to reasonably classify and categorize trademarks to make the connection between trademarks clearer and facilitate the protection of trademark rights. International trademark classifications are managed and maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The classification system is divided into 45 categories, each category is used to describe a group of similar goods or services.
2. The purpose of international trademark classification is.
1. Summarize and classify goods and services. Various countries and regions classify goods and services into different categories and subcategories to enable trademark applicants and holders to find their goods or services more quickly.
2. Assist the national trademark registration agency in processing trademark applications. International trademark classification helps trademark registration agencies determine the categories to which trademark applications belong, thereby promoting the protection and management of trademark rights.
3. Help consumers better understand products and services. Assigning a trademark to an international trademark classification helps consumers identify the trademark within the same or similar range of goods or services and determine how it is distinguished from other trademarks.
3. Secondary category of the International Trademark Classification.
Each international trademark classification contains multiple subcategories, which can contain up to 11 subcategories. These subcategories are often called secondary categories. When an enterprise submits a trademark registration application, it must determine the international classification it belongs to and its corresponding secondary category. The following are the secondary categories under several commonly used international classifications of trademarks:
1. Class 09 – Computer software and hardware.
This international classification includes computer hardware and software, as well as equipment and equipment for computers. Subcategories under this category cover various computer technologies and software such as networking, virtual reality, IoT devices, etc.
2. Category 25 – Clothing.
This category includes various types and styles of clothing, including clothes, shoes, hats, and socks. Subcategories under this category cover various styles and types of clothing, such as personalized fashion, sports and outdoor gear, etc.
3. Category 30 – Food.
Trademark applicants may apply to register food products for commercial sale under this category. Subcategories under this category cover various types of food products such as sweets, desserts, bread, pastries, sweets, instant noodles, coffee, tea, etc.
4. Category 35 – Business Services.
Marks under this category are suitable for business and marketing services such as advertising, accounting, keeping bills, business management, office affairs, public relations, management consulting, sales and business data on computers.
5. Category 42 – Scientific and technical services.
This category includes various types of scientific and technical services. For example, research, design, engineering and technology consulting services, software development and cloud technology services, and the development and maintenance of computer software and computer hardware.
The Trademark Classification System is a global standard organizational structure used to assign trademarks and associated goods or services to appropriate categories and subcategories. Enterprises must correctly choose their international classification when registering a trademark to ensure that their brands can be fully protected. Therefore, enterprises need to understand and understand the system, principles and classification methods of international trademark classification, choose the correct classification and sub-category, and further maintain and expand the intellectual property boundaries of the brand while avoiding errors. """