What is the Nice Classification (NCL) used for in international trademark registration?

In 1957, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established the Nice Classification (NCL). This system organizes goods and services into a single classification framework. Since the agreement includes trademarks registered in multiple languages, it helps in searching for marks that might require translation. NCL divides business activities into 45 classes: 34 for products and 11 for services.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has created a detailed list of goods and services within each class, offering further distinctions. These entries provide more detail but are not mandatory categories. Given the complexity and widespread use of this classification system, it is advisable to seek professional assistance for a trademark search. The USPTO and most countries globally have adopted the NCL protocol.

The Classification Agreement includes over 10,000 goods and 1,000 services. A new edition is released every five years, with an updated version published annually. Trademark offices in countries that have adopted this agreement must incorporate the NCL codes in their official documents.

You can find your class number using our Trademark Class search tool.

https://www.wipo.int/classifications/nice/en/faq.