China trademark registration include several steps, in which classifying the goods or services is one of them. When you fill in your application, you must specify the goods or services for which the trademark will apply, as this then provides the basis for protection. Correctly describing these goods and services, and correctly placing them in the correct "class," is a vital part of securing your trademark rights.
In China, trademark registration is often required by e-commerce sites and distributors. Not only do many Chinese e-commerce websites require that you register your trademark overseas (and in China). If you plan to sell via a local distributor, they will request you upfront to register your trademark, before any trading takes place. In addition, you can’t license your products to a distributor without having your trademark (brand) registered in China.
How to Classify your Goods or Services?
When you apply for trademark registration, you must identify the class of goods or services that your trademark covers. China adopts Nice Classification, in which Class 1-34 are for goods, and Class 35-45 are services. The Nice Classification is an international classification of goods and services applied for the registration of marks. The 2018 version of the eleventh edition of the NCL came into force on January 1, 2018.
Trademark classifications can be confusing because you might use your company name or logo on a lot of things. There’s the product itself, but there’s also your website, your business cards and the sign outside your office. What you need to remember is that your trademark class is based on the product or service itself, not on the way you use your trademark to market that product or service. For example, if you sell cosmetics, you are in Class 3, “cosmetics and cleaning substances”. You would not also register a trademark in Class 16 “paper goods” just because your name and logo is on product boxes and brochures.
Basically, you need to first consider the nature of the product. After determining the classes of goods and/or services that you wish to designate, you must next provide a fairly detailed description for each good and/or service that you specifically wish to associate with the trademark.
Properly identifying the goods and services that you intend to associate with any proposed trademark is of significant importance. Remember that a trademark is a brand name that you want to use to designate and distinguish your goods and service from those of your competitors. If you entrust Tannet to cope with your China trademark registration, we can take care of the whole process.
Contact Us
If you have further queries, don’t hesitate to contact Tannet anytime, anywhere by simply visiting Tannet’s website english.tannet-group.com, or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143422 or 86-755-82143181 or emailing to tannet-solution@hotmail.com. You are also welcome to visit our office situated in 16/F, Taiyangdao Bldg 2020, Dongmen South Rd, Luohu, Shenzhen, China.
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