The 13th Edition of the Nice Classification: Key Updates and Practical Implications

The Nice Classification is an international system used to categorize goods and services for the purposes of registering trademarks. Established under the Nice Agreement of 1957, and maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it divides all goods and services into 45 classes—classes 1 to 34 cover goods, and classes 35 to 45 cover services. By providing a standardized classification, the Nice system ensures that trademark applications are organized consistently across jurisdictions, facilitates trademark searches, and helps reduce conflicts between marks in similar categories. This system is widely adopted by trademark offices around the world, including the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and national IP offices.

The Nice Classification is not static; it is regularly updated to reflect changes in commerce, technology, and consumer behavior. Every few years, a new edition is published, introducing new terms, refining existing definitions, and occasionally reassigning goods or services to different classes. These updates ensure that the classification remains relevant in a fast-evolving marketplace, capturing emerging industries such as digital services, artificial intelligence, or novel consumer products. For trademark practitioners and businesses alike, staying aware of these updates is essential, as they can directly affect filing strategies, search practices, and the scope of trademark protection.

The 13th Edition of the Nice Classification officially enters into force on 1 January 2026, marking the latest update to this globally recognized system. This edition reflects both technological innovation and evolving commercial practices, incorporating new terms, refining class allocations, and clarifying existing definitions. Notably, it addresses contemporary services such as online social networking and dating services, and reclassifies certain goods like corrective eyewear and heated apparel to align them more logically with their function. For trademark professionals, understanding the 13th Edition is crucial to ensure accurate filings, effective portfolio management, and robust protection in international trademark applications.

One of the main changes in the 13th Edition can be found in Class 45, where certain rental services have been removed, including the rental of spectacles, eyeglasses, or sunglasses for fashion purposes, other than for vision correction. At the same time, Class 45 has been expanded to include new services such as notary services, rental of guard dogs, rental of life jackets, rental of diving suits, rental of protective clothing, rental of protective helmets, and the organizing of personal possessions for others. Another significant update is the formal recognition of Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS) in Class 42, reflecting the growing importance of AI technologies in modern business services.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has officially adopted the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification, ensuring that all EU trademark filings are aligned with the updated international standards. Alongside this adoption, the EUIPO has updated its classification system to reflect the new terms, deleted entries, and reclassifications introduced in the 13th Edition. These updates allow trademark practitioners to accurately verify class allocations and draft specifications in full compliance with the current classification system, helping to avoid filing errors and ensure consistent protection across the EU.

In line with EU practice, the Cyprus Intellectual Property Office (CYIPO) automatically follows the updates adopted by the EUIPO and has therefore incorporated the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification into its own trademark system. This ensures that trademark applications filed in Cyprus are fully aligned with the latest international standards, including the updated class allocations, new terms, and deleted entries. As a result, businesses and practitioners in Cyprus can rely on a classification system that is consistent with EU-wide practices, minimizing the risk of discrepancies or filing errors.

For lawyers and businesses, the adoption of the 13th Edition brings several practical considerations. Existing trademark specifications should be reviewed to ensure they remain accurate under the new class allocations, and any new filings should reflect the updated terms and deletions. In particular, services in Class 45—such as the newly added notary services or rentals of protective equipment—may require careful specification, while filings involving AI-based services in Class 42 should now reference the recognized Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS) category. Staying informed of these changes is essential to maintain comprehensive protection, avoid potential conflicts, and ensure that trademark portfolios are fully aligned with the latest international standards.

In conclusion, the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification represents a significant update to the international trademark system, reflecting evolving markets, new technologies, and modern service offerings. For practitioners and businesses alike, understanding these changes is crucial to ensure accurate filings, robust portfolio management, and compliance with both EU and national standards. By staying informed and adapting trademark strategies accordingly, legal professionals can help their clients navigate the updated classification system effectively, safeguarding their intellectual property in an increasingly complex and globalized marketplace.

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