Classification information
Section last updated: November 2020.
The purpose of these instructions is to give details on the classification team procedures and to ensure consistent and uniform working procedures are adopted. It sets out the best working practice for the various procedures and duties undertaken.
The three essential principles which need to be borne in mind when classifying and editing the specifications of an application are:
- the goods or services should fall within the class(es) shown on the application
- the descriptions are clear, within the context of the class number specified
- be understandable, in order that a proper search of the register may be carried out
- the range of goods/services is not outside the practice concerning wide specifications
The following paragraphs detail the procedures which apply these principles. However, there may be applications with specifications that appear to conflict with the guidelines but which make it perfectly clear what goods or services in which class are covered. Specifications that meet these requirements are acceptable and should not be edited merely to bring them into line with the contents of this manual. This should be borne in mind at all times when considering any changes to a specification.
The examination and editing of specifications is carried out by the Examiner. Classification is an integral part of the examination function and it is the Examiner’s responsibility to ensure that the application is correctly classified. Each examiner has an individual responsibility to ensure that the application under examination is correct in all respects - including its classification. It is recognised that on some occasions expert help may be needed when classifying difficult items or activities. To this end in addition to the “International Classification of Goods and Services” list, the Classification Team provides a networked and constantly updated classification database which is available on the website. The Team also provides advice to staff on difficult cases.
The classification and editing of specifications involves a number of checks which are listed in outline below but are dealt with more fully in the section referred to after each item. The guidelines for punctuation and editing indicate the ideal. However it must be emphasised that if specifications are clear and the goods or services are properly classified they should not be changed.
First, consult the “International Classification of Goods and Services”. If the item is not listed then check the Registry’s Classification Search database.
If no reference is found then consult the List of Classes together with the Explanatory Notes in the International Classification for those classes which are thought to be most appropriate. In the event that the item is still not capable of being classified, the following principles are used to determine its classification:
Goods
a. A finished product is in principle classified according to its function or purpose. If the function or purpose of a finished product is not mentioned in any class heading, the finished product is classified by analogy with other comparable finished products, indicated in the Alphabetical List of the WIPO International Classification. If none is found, other subsidiary criteria, such as that of the material of which the product is made or its mode of operation, are applied.
b. A finished product which is a multipurpose composite object (for example, clocks incorporating radios) may be classified in all classes that correspond to any of its functions or intended purposes. If those functions or purposes are not mentioned in any class heading, other criteria indicated under (a), above, are to be applied.
c. Raw materials, un-worked or semi-worked, are in principle classified according to the material of which they consist.
d. Goods intended to form part of another product are in principle classified in the same class as that product only in cases where the same type of goods cannot normally be used for another purpose. In all other cases, the criterion indicated under (a), above, applies.
e. When a product, whether finished or not, is classified according to the material of which it is made, and it is made of different materials, the product is in principle classified according to the material which predominates.
f. Cases adapted to the product they are intended to contain are in principle classified in the same class as the product. For example, cases for sunglasses – Class 9; cases for medical tools – Class 10; cases for rifles – Class 13; jewellery cases – Class 14 (not to be confused with trinket boxes – Class 20).
Services
Services are in principle classified according to the branches of activities specified in the headings of the service classes and in their Explanatory Notes or, if not specified, by analogy with other comparable services indicated in the Alphabetical List of the WIPO International Classification.
Rental services are in principle classified in the same classes as the services provided by means of the rented objects (for example, Rental of telephones, covered by Class 38). Services that provide advice, information or consultation are in principle classified in the same classes as the services that correspond to the subject matter of the advice, information or consultation, for example, transportation consultancy (Class. 39), business management consultancy (Class. 35), financial consultancy (Class. 36), beauty consultancy (Class. 44). The rendering of the advice, information or consultancy by electronic means (for example, telephone, computer) does not affect the classification of these services.
An application may be made in more than one class. Where an application relates to more than one class the statement of goods and/or services shall specify for each item each separate class for which registration is sought. If there are items proper to more than one class they should be grouped together by reference to their specified class number. In all cases the items or groups of items specified by class number should be listed in consecutive numerical order. Where goods or services do not relate to the class number(s) specified on the application form, the applicant may add an extra class or classes to their application subject to payment of the appropriate additional class fee(s)
If an application is filed without a class number and the goods fall in more than one class, for example, detergents, which can fall in classes 1, 3 and 5, the examiner will advise the applicant of the deficiency in the examination report (under Rule 13) in order to give the applicant the opportunity to amend the application to comply with Rule 8(2) (a) and 8(3) :
(2) Every application shall specify
(a) the class in the Nice Classification to which it relates; and…
(3) If the application relates to more than one class in the Nice Classification the specification contained in it shall set out the classes in consecutive numerical order and the specification of the goods or services shall be grouped accordingly.
Note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to insert the class number on an application form and in cases of doubt, pre-filing advice is freely available from the Classification Team.
The first thing to establish about any specification applied for is whether or not the goods or services for which cover is sought is understandable. If most of the specification is too vague and cannot be classified, details of the goods or services should be requested. If necessary, further information should be sought, such as in the form of brochures or pamphlets published by the applicant, which are directly relevant to the application. It puts the onus on the applicant to send this further information to help clarify what the specification is intended to cover and provide suitable wording for this.
If a class has been specified by the applicant this may enable an Examiner to edit a vague item so as to suggest an acceptable term. Such amendments must be brought to the applicant’s attention in the examination report. If only a minority of terms are not understood these should be edited to something comprehensible or removed altogether and a note put on the examination report under the edited specification that…..(list items) are too vague and should be further explained if not covered by the edited specification.
For example:
Class 9 Computers; computer programs; tapes and discs, all being magnetic and for use in the recording of data; compusificators.
Offer in the examination report letter:
Class 9 Computers; computer programs; tapes and discs, all being magnetic and for use in the recording of data.
and add a note reading “Compusificators” is not understood and further explanation should be given if it is not covered by the above specification.
Note: if the term “compusificators” is explained and accepted or another term accepted in its place, the application may have to be re-searched by the Examiner.
If the specification is preceded by a class number it will be acceptable to allow certain terms which, without the class designation, would prove to be too vague to classify. For example, an application filed for:
Class 35 Information services
This is acceptable since these services can only relate to business, advertising, accounting etc in Class 35, whereas “information services” without any class designation is far too vague, encompassing information in relation to any activity or goods.
Other examples of goods or services that should not be queried are:
Class 3 Detergents (can only relate to detergents in that class);
Class 6 Building materials (only covers metallic goods);
Class 14 Badges (limited to badges of precious metal for wear);
Class 25 Protective clothing (class specified effectively excludes protective clothing in Class 9);
Class 33 Beverages (can only mean alcoholic beverages classified under this class);
Class 38 Rental services (edit to rental of telecommunications apparatus: that is all that is in this class).
However, specifications that are so vague or incomprehensible that it would be pointless to examine the application without clarification should be queried by getting more information from the applicant either using the examination report or, alternatively, it may be quicker and more convenient to speak to the applicant or their agent by telephone.
If the reply is not clear a letter seeking further clarification should be sent.
Examiners should not raise expectations which cannot be fulfilled. On a number of occasions in the past practitioner’s have complained that they had provided further details about the goods on an application only to be told that it was not possible in the circumstances to add a class. In situations where Examiners have to raise a specification query they should consider the likely implications of such a request. It should be made clear from the outset whether a class or classes will be allowed to be added. For example, if an applicant files for “materials for making tiles” under Class 17 there is no point in saying that “it might be possible to add a class” since there are a range of materials in Class 17 for use in making tiles.
If it is clear from the specification that there are goods or services that are obviously proper to other classes that the application does not cover, the applicant will be informed of the discrepancies in the examination report. For example, an application for:
Class 33 Wines, lager, stout, shandy and beer.
The applicant would be advised that “lager, stout, shandy and beer” are proper to Class 32 and invited to add a class thus extending the application to cover Class 32.
Similarly an application filed for:
Class 39 Arranging of travel; providing car hire; booking of accommodation for travellers.
This would prompt the examiner to advise the applicant in the examination report that the service of “booking of accommodation for travellers” is proper to Class 43. Again the applicant has the option of extending the application to cover two classes. In the event of these discrepancies being raised at the examination report stage, the applicant will have an opportunity to add an extra class or classes (by filing a form TM3A) after examination. This applies even if a majority of the goods or services are not covered by the class or classes stated. Alternatively, the goods or services that are not covered by the present class or classes may be deleted.
It is the Examiner’s responsibility to check that the classes listed adequately reflect the goods or services shown on the application and if necessary raise the question at the examination stage. This applies even in instances where the majority of the application is covered by the correct number of classes, for instance as in the specification shown in the example above: Class 39 Arranging of travel; providing car hire; travel insurance. In this example, it will be necessary to inform the applicant that “travel insurance” is a service proper to Class 36.
In the case of an application filed where the goods or services are correctly classified but could also be proper to other classes no action will be taken. For example, “valves” fall in ten classes, the classification being determined by purpose and material. If an application is received for for example. Class 7 Valves, it will be assumed that the only goods required to be covered are valves in Class 7, i.e. valves being parts of machines and no mention made to valves falling in other classes.
For various reasons there may be need during an application’s progress to amend the statement of goods or services. For example, a specification may have to be restricted in order to overcome an objection or a class added because of incorrect classification.
Section 39 of the Act sets out the principles which govern practice in this area:
The applicant may at any time withdraw his application or restrict the goods or services covered by the application.
If the application has been published, the withdrawal or restriction shall also be published.
In other respects an application may be amended, at the request of the applicant, only by correcting
a. the name or address of the applicant
b. errors of wording or of copying, or
c. obvious mistakes
and then only where the correction does not substantially affect the identity of the trade mark or extend the goods or services covered by the application.
The following paragraphs set out in detail the registrar’s practice on restrictions, broadening in scope and adding and deleting classes in relation to applications.
Note that once a specification has been restricted it cannot subsequently be changed back to its original scope. Section 39(1) of the Act gives the applicant the right to restrict their specification at any time, but there is no corresponding right to reinstate goods or services that have been previously deleted. Because files are open to public inspection after publication, the applicant’s written request for deletion of goods or services must be taken as irrevocable unless the applicant can show that the request to restrict the specification was a mistake. Evidence is required to show that a request was made by mistake, for example misunderstanding a client’s instructions. A change of heart is not considered to be a mistake even though an error of judgement may have been made in requesting deletion of goods or services.
The parts of the legislation which govern practice in this area are: Rule 8(4)
a. If the specification contained in the application lists items by reference to a class in the Nice Classification in which they do not fall, the applicant may request, by filing Form TM3A, that the application be amended to include the appropriate class for those items, and upon payment of such class fee as may be appropriate the registrar shall amend the application accordingly.
and
Section 39(2)
In other respects, an application may be amended, at the request of the applicant, only by correcting
a. the name or address of the applicant,
b. errors of wording or of copying, or
c. obvious mistakes,
and then only where the correction does not substantially affect the identity of the trade mark or extend the goods or service covered by the application.
Put in simple terms, a class may only be added when an application explicitly lists goods or services which are not in the class shown on the application form, with the proviso that the addition of any class is a correction which does not broaden the scope of the specification as filed. You cannot add a class where items may be in another class but, at the same time, may also be covered by the specification as filed.
Rule 8 and Section 39(2) of the Act have to be read together. It is clear that these provisions only allow the addition of a class where the specification explicitly lists goods or services which are in a different class and have been included only because of an error of wording or copying or as an obvious mistake.
Therefore, in most cases, an applicant may only be invited to make a specification explicit within the boundary of the class of goods or services which appears on the application form.
For instance, an applicant who filed for “non-alcoholic beverages” in Class 30 could not add Class 32 after filing in order to cover, for example “orange juice”, since “tea” and “coffee” are beverages which come within the scope of Class 30. To permit such an addition does not satisfy Rule 8(3) and moreover, would extend the goods (only Class 30 beverages have been applied for) and thus would be contrary to Section 39(2).
However, Class 32 could be added if the specification was filed as “non-alcoholic beverages and orange juice”, but only for “orange juice”. In the case of an application filed in Class 27 for “computer hardware; and all other goods/services in this class”, it would be possible to allow the addition of any class in which “Computer hardware” falls in (since no “computer hardware” is appropriate in Class 27).
Concerning the “all other goods in this class”, the applicant would be required to specify which Class 27 goods require protection. With regard to “all other services in this class” this would have to be deleted since there are no services in Class 27 (which is self evidently a goods class).
Note that when applicants are invited to file a TM3A to add a class or classes, they should be informed that the mark has not been examined in respect of the goods or services that have been identified as being incorrectly classified. Examination of these items may only take place on receipt of the TM3A.
This can be done at any time during the prosecution of an application and under no circumstances should a Form TM12 (Request to divide an application) be requested from the applicant to carry out this action. The restriction of goods or services is permitted under Section 39(1) because this is merely a narrowing of the scope of a specification.
If there is a contradiction between the whole list of goods or services and the class number, the problem can be solved by simply amending the class number (after informing the applicant or agent). This circumstance falls within Section 39(2) (c) of correcting an obvious mistake. A form TM3A is not required to correct this type of error. Therefore, if the goods or services have been correctly stated on the application form, and the goods or services are clearly not in the class as filed, this can be allowed.
For example, a single application filed for:
Class 9 Computer programming.
This would clearly indicate a service and the application should be allowed to transfer to Class 42. . If, however, an application with a specification for “All goods in Class 31” is filed, this cannot subsequently be transferred to Class 29. People searching the pending marks would have no idea that the Class 31 application was intended to cover such goods. If someone applied in Class 36 for “insurance services” and it turned out that they sold computers, a transfer to Class 9 would not be possible.
It will be necessary to update the databases to reflect any change as soon as possible.
If on a multi-class application there are goods or services incorrectly classified it is allowable to transfer those goods or services between the classes shown on the application. For example, an application specifies:
Deodorants for personal use; room deodorants; perfumes. Class 3
Air freshening preparations. Class 5
Air deodorising apparatus. Class 11
In this example “room deodorants” are wrongly classified in Class 3 and should be deleted from the Class 3 specification. They are proper to Class 5 and may be transferred and the Class 5 specification edited to “Air freshening preparations; room deodorants”.
It may be the case that there are insufficient classes to cover all the goods or services.
For example:
Deodorants for personal use; perfumes. Class 3
Air freshening preparations; room deodorants. Class 5
Air deodorising apparatus; deodorising apparatus for personal use. Class 11
In this example “deodorising apparatus for personal use” falls into Class 21 but the application only covers Classes 3, 5 and 11. This will be brought to the applicant’s attention in the examination report and the applicant will be given the opportunity to file a TM3A (“Request for additional classes following examination”) and add Class 21.
Alternatively, the applicant will have the option to delete the goods from the specification.
The scope to amend a published application is governed by Section 39 of the Act and Rule 25, the relevant parts of which read:
Section 39:
(1) The applicant may at any time withdraw his application or restrict the goods or services covered by the application.
(2) In other respects, an application may be amended, at the request of the applicant, only by correcting
a. The name and address of the applicant
b. Errors of wording or of copying, or
c. Obvious mistakes,
and then only where the correction does not substantially affect the identity of the trade mark or extend the goods or services covered by the application. Rule 25
(1) Where, pursuant to section 39, a request is made for amendment of an application which has been published in the Journal and the amendment affects…the goods or services covered by the application, the amendment or a statement of the effect of the amendment shall also be published in the Journal.
(2) Any person claiming to be affected by the amendment may, within one month of the date on which the amendment or a statement of the effect of the amendment was published under paragraph (1), give notice to the registrar of objection to the amendment on Form TM7 which shall include a statement of the grounds of objection which shall, in particular, indicate why the amendment would not fall within section 39(2).
Therefore, once the specification of an application has been published and then subsequently amended, the amendment must also be published (but not the whole application).
If an error in classification is detected at the publication stage, the applicant should be contacted in order to rectify it before the mark is registered. It is in the interest of the applicant to ensure that their goods or services are in the correct class since such an error would result in their mark being overlooked when later filed applications are examined for potentially conflicting marks.
Moreover, in the event that a subsequent application is made for an international registration which is based on a UK application that includes incorrectly classified items, an irregularity notice will be issued by WIPO, thus delaying its progress.
Practice – Formalities - Objection under rule 8(2) of the Act will be raised in all classes where a claim is made to for “All goods” or “All services” - these descriptions are too broad and too vague and do not constitute a proper list of goods or services.
Practice Examination - Objection under rule 8(2) will also be taken in any class against specifications with broad terms such as: “electric, electrical and/or electronic apparatus, appliances, devices, equipment and/or instruments” (whether listed separately or in combination).
Applications in the service classes which continue to include claims such as “services that cannot be classified in other classes” or “miscellaneous services” will continue to face an objection under rule 8.
Applications for specifications that are drafted in the form of the headings to the International Classes will not, in the main, be subject to a broad specification check. The exception are Classes 7, 37 and 40. Also, terms which was previously included in the class headings in classes 6, 9, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 45.
Class 6
Applications filed in Class 6 which continue to make reference to “Goods of common metal not included in other classes” (formerly part of the class 6 heading before 2016) will be objected to
Class 7
Claims to “machines” without further qualification will be objected to. The following gives examples of descriptions which are acceptable, since in each case the end use of the machine has been identified:
Machines for agricultural purposes;
or Machines for use in manufacturing processes; or Machines for the woollen industry or other specific machines, for example washing machines.
Class 9
Applications filed in Class 9 which continue to make reference to “electric, electrical and/or electronic apparatus appliances, devices, equipment and instruments” (formerly part of the class 9 heading before 2002) will be objected to - whether listed separately or in combination.
Class 14
Applications filed in Class 14 which continue to make reference to “Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes” (formerly part of the class 14 heading before 2016) will be objected to.
Class 16
Applications filed in Class 16 which continue to make reference to “Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes” (formerly part of the class 16 heading before 2016) will be objected to.
Class 17
Applications filed in Class 17 which continue to make reference to “Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials and not included in other classes” (formerly part of the class 17 heading before 2016) will be objected to.
Class 18
Applications filed in Class 18 which continue to make reference to “Leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of these materials and not included in other classes” (formerly part of the class 18 heading before 2016) will be objected to.
Class 20
Applications filed in Class 20 which continue to make reference to “Goods (not included in other classes) of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, or of plastics” (formerly part of the class 20 heading before 2016) will be objected to.
Class 37
Claims to “Repair” and “Installation services” without further qualification will be objected to.
Class 40
Claims to “Treatment of materials” without further qualification will be objected to.
Class 45
Applications filed in Class 45 which continue to make reference to “Personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals” (formerly part of the class 45 heading before 2023) will be objected to.
In addition to the above, Rule 8(2) objections may also be used to challenge other statements of goods or services that are considered too vague and/or too broad, for example against “retail services” in Class 35.
The Rule 8(2) objection should only be taken at the examination stage and if the Examiner so determines, the search may be restricted to the named goods. However, if only the named goods are searched, this must be brought to the attention of the applicant in the examination report - who may subsequently broaden the specification to cover more goods (providing the goods are within the ambit of the specification as originally filed).
As always though, each case is a matter of judgement for the Examiner and providing an “all class” search does not result in a waste of resources, the wider search option is available.
In dealing with replies to Rule 8(2) objections, examiners must consider the arguments submitted by applicants about each application on their merits. In some instances, applicants will rely on previous acceptances in order to justify a broad specification on a fresh application. This is not acceptable. The applicant should be reminded that each application has to be looked at on its own merits and that the question that needs to be addressed is “is this mark being used (or is there a definite intention to use) in relation to all the goods and/or services of this application”? There is normally no justification in accepting very wide specifications merely because the applicant states that the cover provided by its “house” mark is very wide. Again, each mark has to be looked at individually in relation to the goods and/or services claimed.
In the absence of any evidence showing use of the mark it may prove necessary to seek a witness statement or statutory declaration from the applicant which might satisfy us that the applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in relation to all the goods or services claimed. However, this should only be sought if the Examiner thinks that it is unlikely that the mark applied for would be used in trade or business in connection with all the goods or services claimed.
Rule 62(1) (a) of the Trade Marks Rules 2008 gives the Registrar authority to seek information:
Except where the Act or these Rules otherwise provide, the registrar may give such directions as to the management of any proceedings as the registrar thinks fit, and in particular may
a. Require a document, information or evidence to be filed within such period as the registrar may specify;
Any evidence submitted should be adequately identified, for example relevant passages underlined or similarly marked to show wide use of the mark or that the applicant’s business is extensive in range.
Precise punctuation is important to ensure clarity in a specification. Providing punctuation is clear it need not be changed and should not be changed merely to fit in with an examiner’s particular style (for example there is no need to delete a comma before the word “and”).
Please note that we also allow capital letters to be used in specifications for the separation of terms and we allow specifications which consist wholly of capital letters.
The following guidelines are intended to help examiners assess whether the punctuation is clear and offers advice on improving punctuation if necessary. In specifications which list a number of goods or services without uses or other qualifications, either commas or semi-colons may be used between the goods/services for example:
“Coffee, tea, rice, bread, salt.” or “Coffee; tea; rice; bread; salt.”
or combinations of the two for example:
“Coffee, tea, rice; bread; salt.” or “Coffee; tea; rice, bread and salt”.
In the above examples the meaning would not be altered if any or all of the commas were replaced by semi-colons. In many other situations the correct use of commas and semi-colons is of great importance for example:
“Ingredients for food; hydrocarbon preparations and resins, all for use in the manufacture of paints; plastics and fertilizers”.
Any alteration to the punctuation of the above specification would result in a change in the way the specification could be interpreted. The “all for use in the manufacture of paints” is only intended to apply to “hydrocarbon preparations and resins” and the semi-colons around this item and the comma before “all for use in the manufacture for example.” achieve this.
The use of the term “all for” should also be noted in the above example. “Hydrocarbon preparations and resins for use in the manufacture of paints”
This is not clear since it is uncertain whether the “hydrocarbon preparations” are for use in manufacture or not.
Qualifications which follow a comma only refer to those goods or services which follow the previous semi-colon for example:
“Pharmaceutical preparations; plasters and bandages, all for surgical use”
The qualification “all for surgical use”, refers only to plasters and bandages; And in:
“Meat; fish, poultry and game; jams; fruit and vegetables, all being preserved”
The qualification “all being preserved” refers only to “fruit and vegetables” because these are the only goods which follow the previous semi-colon.
Qualifications which follow a semi-colon refer to all the preceding goods or services, for example in a specification reading:
“Bleaching preparations, detergents and fabric softeners; all for laundry use”.
The qualification “all for laundry use” applies to all the preceding goods.
Where goods or services are to be qualified by a number of items or uses, the qualifications should be separated by commas and the last item worded so as to relate all the items in the qualification to the goods or services being qualified.
When specifications are framed as in the following example:
“Banking, life insurance and consultancy and advisory services relating to the aforesaid services”.
There is no need to edit this to:
“Banking, life insurance and consultancy and advisory services, all relating to the aforesaid services”
Since it is obvious that both the consultancy and advisory services relate to banking and life insurance.
Similarly there is no need to edit:
“Telecommunications apparatus and instruments for maritime use” to
“Telecommunications apparatus and instruments, all for maritime use”
In these examples it is clear that the qualifications are meant to apply to all the services or goods (i.e. the items “read through” to the qualification) and to edit such specifications to conform to the ideal is not sensible.
Full stops are allowed within the body of a specification, for example:
“Soaps and bleaching preparations. Cleansing preparations and conditioners; all for laundry use.”
In this instance if the full stop is changed to a semi-colon, the limitation would then apply to the whole specification (which is obviously not intended).
Under previous Trade Marks Acts it was necessary to qualify goods or services which without qualifications could be proper to other classes.
Under the 1994 Act there is no need to add any qualifications since goods or services have to be read in conjunction with the class or classes indicated on the application form. This applies to all specifications including those with parts and fittings in the goods classes and with information, advisory and consultancy services in the service classes. Therefore, the following and similar specifications should be accepted without amendment:
Class 12 Cars, buses and trucks and parts and fittings for the aforesaid goods.
Class 45 Legal services; arbitration and conciliation services; information, advisory and consultancy services for the aforesaid services.
In these two examples the class designation which precedes the goods or services serves to qualify the goods and services.
It may be that some applicants will prefer to qualify goods or services using “old” qualifications. This is not wrong and these versions may continue to be accepted, for example:
Class 30 Biscuits, all being in Class 30
Class 39 Travel agency services included in Class 39.
Although in both these examples the qualifiers are redundant, they should be left in the specification if the applicant wishes to retain them.
Exclusions are the opposite of positive limits in that they define what the goods or services are not, starting with the wording “but not including…” Following the judgment of the ECJ in the Postkantoor case, C-363/99, there is reduced scope for overcoming section 3(1) objections using exclusions. Previously known as the “penguin practice”, because of its inception as a result of Penguin Book’s trade mark application, it was the registrar’s practice to allow exclusions in respect of marks which are descriptive of goods in the specification having certain characteristics, but acceptable for the same goods without that characteristic.
However, Postkantoor makes it clear that the Trade Mark Directive, from which the UK Act is derived, “prevents a trade mark registration authority from registering a mark for certain goods or services on condition that they do not possess a particular characteristic”. In other words, excluding the particular characteristic that the mark describes is not an option. The reasoning that the Court gave for this ruling is underpinned by the legitimate interest of other traders; an exclusion in relation to particular characteristics might cause other traders to refrain from using that sign in trade, because it would be unclear that the mark’s protection did not actually extend to those goods or services for which it was descriptive. They would not know, as a general rule, about the exclusion and there might be legal uncertainty, which is what the Directive is intended to prevent.
Characteristics versus sub-categories
However, there is still a place for exclusions provided they are in respect of categories or sub categories of goods or services and not in respect merely of their characteristics. A characteristic is a specific quality, attribute or trait, whilst a category is a group or sub-group of the item. The term “characteristic” includes not only obvious descriptions, such as “pink” for shirts, but also covers when, where, why and how the goods or service may be supplied and their intended purpose. It would not therefore be acceptable to exclude, for the mark “Post Office”, postage stamps provided they are not connected with a post office.
When considering employing exclusions, regard must be had to whether the exclusion will render the mark deceptive or whether it is likely that the applicant intends to use the mark on goods or services for which it is not descriptive (otherwise, it may be open to a bad faith objection (section 3(6)).
The following are examples of acceptable and unacceptable exclusions:
Acceptable:
Mark: TUTANKHAMUN
Specification: “Printed matter; but not including educational, archaeological or historical printed matter.
This is acceptable because printed matter can be sub-categorised; books on history etc would be a sub-category rather than a characteristic. An exclusion merely in relation to books about Tutankhamun would be too narrow as the applicant would then have cover for similar goods (such as books about Egyptology).
Mark: VELVET BUNNY
Specification: “Toys, games and playthings; but not including soft toys”.
This is acceptable because soft toys can be regarded as a subcategory of toys and the mark would not be descriptive of other types of toys.
Mark: FISH
Specification: “Cleaning preparations; cosmetics; preparations for the hair; but not including soaps.”
This overcomes the problem with novelty soaps, novelty soaps being a sub-category in this class. It would be insufficient simply to exclude soaps in the form of fish.
Unacceptable:
Mark: ROSE
Specification: “Cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries; but not including any such goods scented to smell like roses.”
This exclusion does not overcome the descriptiveness objection because the exclusion relates simply to goods bearing the characteristic described by the mark.
This objection cannot be overcome for this type of goods.
Mark: DAFFODIL
Specification: “Chinaware; glassware; ornaments, statuettes and figurines; but not including any such goods in the form of or decorated with flowers”.
This would not overcome the descriptiveness objection because the mark describes a characteristic of the goods; and it is common in the trade for goods of this type to be decorated florally.
Mark: FROG
Specification: “Footwear; but not including footwear in the form of frogs”. This exclusion does not overcome the descriptiveness objection. The exclusion covers only a specific characteristic of the goods rather than a sub-category. The objection could be overcome by excluding “novelty footwear.”
Mark: BROADBAND GLOBAL
Specification: “Telecommunications; provision of telecommunications information; transmission of messages and images; broadcasting services; but not including any such services provided by or about the internet.”
The exclusion does not overcome the descriptiveness objection. “Broadband” is a characteristic of telecommunications services, usually, although not exclusively, associated with internet use. Internet services are not a sub-category of a broadband telecommunications service. The mark describes a specific characteristic of a telecommunications service, i.e. a broadband telecom service providing global access.
The descriptiveness objection cannot be overcome. Broadband services are a subcategory of telecommunications services, but it is implausible that the applicant would apply for a mark like this in respect of non-broadband services. Consequently, a proposal to exclude “broadband telecommunication services” would give rise to further objections under section 3(3) (b) - because other use would be deceptive - and Rule 8(2) because there is no real intention to use other than for broadband services.
Note that the use of exclusions to overcome objections is covered in the Trade Marks Examination Guide. Further information about exclusions can be found in Tribunal Practice Notice 1/2024.
The purpose of a specification is to provide a statement of the goods and services.(Section 32(2) (c)). Under the 1994 Act provision is made under Section 13 for specified territorial or other limitations. Geographical limitations have in the past been incorrectly included in lists of goods and services rather than expressly identified as limitations. Therefore, in instances where there are geographical limitations which appear in the statement of goods/services, applicants will be required to delete these and insert them in Box 9 on the form TM3. Section 13, which governs the practice on limitations reads:
Registration subject to disclaimer or limitation 13(1), a an applicant for registration of a trade mark, or the proprietor of a registered trade mark, may
a. disclaim any right to the exclusive use of any specified element of the trade mark, or
b. agree that the rights conferred by the registration shall be subject to a specified territorial or other limitation;
and where the registration of a trade mark is subject to a disclaimer or limitation, the rights conferred by section 9 (rights conferred by registered trade mark) are restricted accordingly.
There is a need to distinguish between territorial limitations, which are properly the subject of a voluntary limitation of rights under Section 13 of the Act, and restrictions of the type or kind of products or services included in the statements of goods/services. In the first category are territorial limitations such as:
Pharmaceutical preparations and substances, none being for export, other than to the Republic of Ireland; Cosmetics and soaps, all for sale in Northern Ireland and Scotland;
Manufactured tobacco, for export from the United Kingdom to Zambia, the Republic of South Africa and Tanzania;
Nightclub services provided in London;
All of the limitations which appear under this category must not be included in statement of goods or services and should be entered in Box 9 of the form TM3 and recorded under the limitations field on the Registry database as, for example:
Registration of this mark is subject to the following limitation: The rights conferred are limited to goods which are not for export, other than to the Republic of Ireland;
Registration of this mark is subject to the following limitation: The rights conferred are limited to goods for sale only in Northern Ireland and Scotland;
Registration of this mark is subject to the following limitation: The rights conferred are limited to services provided only in London.
Registration of this mark is subject to the following limitation: The rights conferred are limited to goods solely for export from the United Kingdom to Zambia, the Republic of South Africa and Tanzania.
Secondly, there are restrictions which particularise the type of goods or services, their purpose, method of sale or geographical origin, or otherwise qualify the goods or services so as to more accurately describe them. For example:
Fertilizers for use in the care of house plants;
Pharmaceutical substances for use in treatment of cardiovascular diseases; Gardening magazines;
Alcoholic beverages, but in so far as whisky and whisky based liqueurs are concerned only Scotch whisky and Scotch whisky based liqueurs produced in Scotland;
Transportation of goods by rail;
Pharmaceutical preparations for supply only on prescription of a registered medical practitioner;
Lubricants, for sale in containers of not less than 20 litres; Milk and cheese, the produce of Northern Ireland;
Cleaning preparations; preparations for the hair; but not including soaps; Financial services, but not including banking;
Building materials (not of metal).
All of the above types of limitations may continue to be accepted in specifications of goods or services.
For the purposes of examination on relative grounds, the registrar will treat registrations which contain a restriction of the type exemplified above as a voluntary restriction of rights under section 13 of the Act.
The revised practice came into force on 26 July 2004. An application filed on or after this date with a territorial limitation contained in the body of the specification will face objection at the time of issue of the examination report. A pending application filed before this date which includes such a limitation within its specification (or if the Registrar has already agreed to a revised specification including a territorial limitation) will not be amended unless the applicant makes an appropriate request. In respect of registrations and other pending applications filed before the implementation date, the revised practice will also apply to requests (or requirements) to enter territorial limitations made on or after 26 July 2004. Further information about limitations can be found can Tribunal Practice Notice 1/2024.
Trade Marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade are not registrable in the prima facie. However, the Trade Marks Act recognises that such signs or indications are capable of being registered if they have acquired a distinctive character through use as a trade mark. For instance the word DIGITAL is registered in Class 38 but is also used in trade as a description, as in, for example, “digital television broadcasting”.
Moreover, Section 11 of the Act makes it clear that a registered trade mark is not infringed by the use of indications concerning characteristics of goods or services or indications of their intended purpose, provided the use is in accordance with honest practices. Therefore, it is acceptable to include in specifications ordinary dictionary words (or words common to the trade) which in the context of a statement of goods or services function as descriptions but which may at the same time be registered trade marks. It is also acceptable in a specification to use a registered trade mark as a description provided that use is not in the same context as the goods or services for which the mark is registered. For example, POLO is registered in many classes but is also descriptive of a type of shirt in Class 25. Therefore in Class 25 specifications, the term “polo shirts” is acceptable as a description.
This practice does not apply to surnames or coined or invented words as registered trade marks. For instance, JACUZZI would not be acceptable in any specification: it is registered for “whirlpool baths”. YO-YO is a registered trade mark and applicants are asked to substitute it with “spools incorporating coiled string which rewind and return to the hand when thrown”. The word TELECOPIER is registered in Class 9 and must not be used in place of facsimile machines or services (in Class 38). The surname HOOVER is a well known registered brand of vacuum cleaner and as a registered trade mark cannot be used to describe such equipment or the service of vacuuming. NB: A expanded list of registered trade marks and acceptable alternative terms which may be used in specifications follows:
| Registered Mark | Class/es | Acceptable Alternative |
| ALLEN | 08 | Hexagonal wrenches; hexagonal spanners |
| ANDROID | 09 | Computer hardware and computer software for use with mobile devices |
| ARTEX | 02 | Distemper |
| BABYGRO | 25 | All-in-one stretch garments for babies |
| BAND-AID | 05 | Adhesive dressings/materials |
| BLUETOOTH | 09 | Telecommunication equipment |
| BIRO | 16 | Ball point pen |
| BLUE-RAY DISC | 09 | Optical and magneto-optical discs |
| BOOGIE | 28 | Body boards |
| BOTOX | 05 | Botulinum toxin |
| CATSEYE | 09 | Reflecting road studs |
| DICTAPHONE | 09 | Instrument for recording and reproducing dictation |
| DISCMAN | 09 | Portable compact disc player |
| DONGLE | 09 | Internet access apparatus |
| ELASTOPLAST | 05 | Elasticised dressings |
| FRISBEE | 28 | Toy flying saucer |
| GATEWAY | 37 | Telecommunication access services |
| HOOVER | 07 | Vacuum cleaners |
| HULA HOOP | 28 | Circular tubed plaything |
| IPOD | 09 | Portable digital music device |
| JACUZZI | 11 | Whirl pool baths |
| JEEP | 12 | All terrain vehicles |
| MEMORY STICK | 09 | Data storage media device |
| ONESIES | 25 | All in one nightwear |
| PERSPEX | 17 | Synthetic resin sold in the form of sheets |
| PORTAKABIN | 06 and 19 | Portable buildings |
| ROLLER BLADE | 28 | In-line skates |
| STRIMMER | 07 | Grass cutting machines |
| SELLOTAPE | 16 | Adhesive tape |
| SLUSH PUPPY | 30 | Frozen confectionery |
| TELETEXT | 38 | Television screen based information broadcasting and retrieval services |
| THERMOS | 21 | Insulated flasks |
| TUPPERWARE | 21 | Plastic food containers |
| VASELINE | 05 | Petroleum jelly |
| VELCRO | 26 | Hook and eye fasteners |
| VELUX | 06 and 19 | Roof windows |
| WALKMAN | 09 | Portable audio equipment |
| YO YO | 28 | Spools incorporating coiled string which rewind and return to the hand when thrown |
Whilst the use of standard specifications is to be encouraged, their function is for the sole purpose of initial examination only. Individual applications may require further modification to take account of any other objections under the Act or Rules, for example under Section 3(3)(b) if the mark is deceptive.
If a change is made to a specification it must be brought to the applicant’s attention by:
- underlining or typed in bold in the case of lengthy specifications and
- in all cases pointing out the specific changes made and reasons for them
In relation to all specifications:
Changes must be underlined or typed in bold and reasons given. If only deletions are made the reasons must be stated. Where substantial changes are made involving a large degree of re-editing these must be explained. Also, deletion of any wording must always be explained.
Furthermore, a reason must always be given for any substantial amendment which affects the protection sought. For example:
“The punctuation has been amended to ensure that the qualification applies to all the goods” or
“The goods “potato crisps” have been deleted because they are proper to Class 29”.
3.1 Amendment of a specification of a registration
Under Rule 33, the specification of a registration may be restricted at any time.
3.2 Partial surrender of a specification for a registered mark
The relevant part of Rule 33 states:
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the proprietor may surrender a registered trade mark, by sending notice to the registrar
(b) on Form TM23, in respect only of those goods or services specified by the proprietor in the notice.
(3) The registrar shall, upon the surrender taking effect, make the appropriate entry in the register and publish the date of surrender on the Office website.
For this purpose a form TM23 (“Notice of a partial surrender of the specification of goods or services for which the mark is registered”) is used.
This form contains a heading “Goods or services to be surrendered” and any goods or services that require to be deleted from a registration should be entered here. If the goods or services relate to a registration covering more than one class they should be listed in class order. Upon the surrender taking effect, an entry will be made in the register and it will be published in the Trade Marks Journal.
It is a responsibility of the Classification Team to scrutinise forms TM23 and any enquiries concerning amendments to a specification of a registration should be directed to them.
However, it is the responsibility of the registered proprietor to state the goods or services that are to be surrendered. It is not acceptable to merely list the goods or services which are intended to remain after surrender but this additional information is helpful (in order to provide a clear statement of what the registration is ultimately intended to cover).