China to adopt the 8th edition of nice classification

As of January 1, 2002, China will adopt the 8th Edition of Nice Classification according to a notification of the Trademark Office. In addition to other minor changes, classification of services will then include ten classes. In particular, some services previously listed in class 42 will be transferred to classes 43, 44 and 45, as indicated bellow:

Class 43: providing food and drinks, temporary accommodation; including accommodation (providing housing), catering, nursing homes, café, cafeterias, canteens, campground facilities, day-nurseries, hotels, hotel reservations, motels, houses (boarding), restaurants, restaurants (self service), snack bars;

Class 44: medical services, veterinary services, sanitary and beauty services provided for human and animal; agricultural, horticultural and forestry services; including, animal breeding, landscape gardening, public baths, beauty salons, clinics, massage, hairdressing salons, wreath making, rest homes, hospitals, healthcare, horticulture, gardening, farming equipment rental, medical assistance, optician's services, physiotherapy, dentistry, veterinary assistance;

Class 45: personal and social services for individuals provided by others, services provided for protection of property and personal security; including guards, escorting in society (chaperoning), investigations, dating, night guards, opening of locks, dress rental, cremation, guardianship, undertaking, marriage bureau.

We expect that trademarks registered according to the 7th Edition of Nice Classification will remain valid and unchanged. However, applications filed after January 1 2002 will receive cross-class examination.

China became a party to Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks on August 9, 1994, but it has been using international classification system since November 1, 1988.