International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks under the Vienna Agreement

Overview

 

What is the Vienna Classification?

The Vienna Classification provides symbols for marks which consist of or contain figurative elements.

 

Origin of the Vienna Classification

The Vienna Classification is based on a multilateral treaty administered by WIPO. This treaty is called the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks, which was concluded in 1973 and entered into force in 1985. This Classification is commonly referred to as the Vienna Classification. The Vienna Agreement is open to States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

 

How is it applied?

The trademark offices of the contracting States of the Vienna Agreement are required to include in the official documents and publications relating to registrations and renewals of marks the numbers of the categories, divisions and sections of the Classification in which the figurative elements of those marks have been placed.

 

Advantages and uniqueness of the Vienna Classification

Use of the Vienna Classification by national offices has the advantage of filing the figurative elements of marks with reference to a single classification system. This procedure facilitates trademark anticipation searches and obviates substantial reclassification work when documents are exchanged at the international level.

 

Is it used in many countries?

In January 2008, 24 States were party to the Vienna Agreement. They have adopted and apply the Vienna Classification for the figurative elements of marks. Moreover, the trademark offices of more than 30 countries, three organizations and the International Bureau of WIPO actually use the Vienna Classification.

 

What is the structure of the Vienna Classification?

The Vienna Classification constitutes a hierarchical system that proceeds from the general to the particular, dividing all figurative elements into categories, divisions and sections. Explanatory notes have been introduced where appropriate. The classification comprises a total of 29 categories, 144 divisions and 1,667 sections in which the figurative elements of marks are classified.

 

Is it updated?

In order to keep the Vienna Classification up to date, it is continuously revised and a new edition is published every five years. The current (sixth) edition has been in force since January 1, 2008. The revision is carried out by a Committee of Experts set under the Vienna Agreement. All States party to the Agreement are members of the Committee of Experts.

 

How is it presented?

The authentic versions of the sixth edition of the Vienna Classification (English and French) are published as printed publications by WIPO in paper (WIPO  publication No. 502 - Price:  50 Swiss francs). The Vienna Classification is also available on diskette (format ASCII), on CD-ROM (see below) and on the Internet.

 

CD-ROM

The sixth edition of the Vienna Classification (in English and French) is also published on a CD-ROM called NIVILO:CLASS. Version 2.1 of this disk (WIPO publication No. CD-Nivilo - Price:  60 Swiss francs) also contains the authentic versions (English and French) of the current editions of the Nice and Locarno Classifications (the ninth and eighth editions, respectively).

 

Where can I obtain it?