[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76867-76870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26682]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office

37 CFR Part 6

[Docket No. PTO-T-2016-0038]
RIN 0651-AD12


International Trademark Classification Changes

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues a 
final rule to incorporate classification changes adopted by the Nice 
Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and 
Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice 
Agreement). These changes are effective January 1, 2017, and are listed 
in the International Classification of Goods and Services for the 
Purposes of the Registration of Marks (11th ed., ver. 2017), which is 
published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

DATES: This rule is effective on January 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Cain, Office of the Deputy 
Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy, at (571) 272-8946 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose: As noted above, this final rule incorporates 
classification changes adopted by the Nice Agreement that will become 
effective on January 1, 2017. This rule benefits the public by 
providing notice regarding these changes.
    Summary of Major Provisions: The USPTO is revising Sec.  6.1 in 
part 6 of title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations to incorporate 
classification changes and modifications that will become effective 
January 1, 2017, as listed in the International Classification of Goods 
and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (11th ed., 
2017) (Nice Classification), published by WIPO.
    The Nice Agreement is a multilateral treaty, administered by WIPO, 
which establishes the international classification of goods and 
services for the purposes of registering trademarks and service marks. 
As of September 1, 1973, this international classification system is 
the controlling system used by the United States, and it applies to all 
applications filed on or after September 1, 1973, and their resulting 
registrations, for all statutory purposes. See 37 CFR 2.85(a). Every 
signatory to the Nice Agreement must utilize the international 
classification system.
    Each state party to the Nice Agreement is represented in the 
Committee of Experts of the Nice Union (Committee of Experts), which 
meets annually to vote on proposed changes to the Nice Classification. 
Any state that is a party to the Nice Agreement may submit proposals 
for consideration by the other members in accordance with agreed-upon 
rules of procedure. Proposals are currently submitted on an annual 
basis to an electronic forum on the WIPO Web site, commented upon, 
modified, and compiled by WIPO for further discussion and voting at the 
annual Committee of Experts meeting.
    In 2013, the Committee of Experts began annual revisions to the 
Nice Classification. The annual revisions, which are published 
electronically and enter into force on January 1 each year, are 
referred to as versions and identified by edition number and year of 
the effective date (e.g., ``Nice Classification, 10th edition, version 
2013'' or ``NCL 10-2013''). Each annual version includes all changes 
adopted by the Committee of Experts since the adoption of the previous 
version. The changes consist of the addition of new goods and services 
to, and deletion of goods and services from, the Alphabetical List, and 
any modifications to the wording in the Alphabetical List, the class 
headings, and the explanatory notes that do not involve the transfer of 
goods or services from one class to another. New editions of the Nice 
Classification continue to be published electronically and include all 
changes adopted annually since the previous version, as well as goods 
or services transferred from one class to another or new classes that 
are created.
    The annual revisions contained in this final rule consist of 
modifications to the class headings that have been incorporated into 
the Nice Agreement by the Committee of Experts. Under the Nice 
Classification, there are 34 classes of goods and 11 classes of 
services, each with a class heading. Class headings generally indicate 
the fields to which goods and services belong. Specifically, this rule 
adds new, or deletes existing, goods and services from 15 class 
headings and revises spelling in one class heading. The changes to the 
class headings further define the types of goods and/or services 
appropriate to the class. As a signatory to the Nice Agreement, the 
United States adopts these revisions pursuant to Article 1.
    Costs and Benefits: This rulemaking is not economically significant 
under Executive Order 12866 (Sept. 30, 1993).

Discussion of Regulatory Changes

    The USPTO is revising Sec.  6.1 as follows:
    In Class 3, the wording ``soaps; perfumery, essential oils, 
cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices'' is amended to ``non-medicated 
soaps; perfumery, essential oils, non-medicated cosmetics, non-
medicated hair lotions; non-medicated dentifrices.''
    In Class 6, the wording ``Common metals and their alloys'' is 
amended to ``Common metals and their alloys, ores,'' and the separate 
clause ``ores'' at the end of the class heading is deleted. The wording 
``metal building materials'' is amended to ``metal materials for 
building and construction.'' The wording ``materials of metal for 
railway tracks,'' ``ironmongery,'' and ``pipes and tubes of metal'' is 
deleted. The wording ``metal containers for storage or transport'' is 
inserted before ``safes.''
    In Class 10, the spelling of ``orthopedic'' is amended to 
``orthopaedic.'' A semi-colon is added after the wording ``suture 
materials,'' and the following wording is added: ``therapeutic and 
assistive devices adapted for the disabled; massage apparatus; 
apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity 
apparatus, devices and articles.''
    The wording ``precious stones'' is amended to ``precious and semi-
precious stones'' in Class 14.
    In Class 16, the wording ``and office requisites, except 
furniture'' is added

[[Page 76868]]

after the term ``stationery. The wording ``artists' materials'' is 
amended to ``artists' and drawing materials.'' The wording 
``typewriters and office requisites (except furniture)'' is deleted. 
The wording ``instructional and teaching material (except apparatus)'' 
is changed to ``instructional and teaching materials,'' and the wording 
``plastic materials for packaging'' is amended to ``plastic sheets, 
films and bags for wrapping and packaging.'' The semi-colon after 
``printers' type'' is replaced with a comma.
    In Class 17, the wording ``plastics in extruded form for use in 
manufacture'' is amended to ``plastics and resins in extruded form for 
use in manufacture.'' The wording ``flexible pipes, not of metal'' is 
changed to ``flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal.''
    In Class 18, ``animal skins, hides'' is amended to ``animal skins 
and hides,'' and ``trunks and travelling bags'' is amended to ``luggage 
and carrying bags.'' A semi-colon is added after the term ``saddlery,'' 
and the wording ``collars, leashes and clothing for animals'' is added 
thereafter.
    The wording ``containers, not of metal, for storage or transport'' 
is added in Class 20 after ``Furniture, mirrors, picture frames.'' The 
term ``ivory'' is deleted.
    ``[B]rushes (except paintbrushes)'' is amended to ``brushes, except 
paintbrushes'' in Class 21. The term ``steelwool'' is deleted. The 
wording ``unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in 
building)'' is amended to ``unworked or semi-worked glass, except 
building glass.''
    In Class 22, ``tents, awnings, and tarpaulins'' is amended to 
``tents and tarpaulins; awnings of textile or synthetic materials.'' 
The wording ``sacks'' is amended to ``sacks for the transport and 
storage of materials in bulk,'' and ``padding and stuffing materials 
(except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics)'' is changed to 
``padding, cushioning and stuffing materials, except of paper, 
cardboard, rubber or plastics.'' The wording ``and substitutes 
therefor'' is inserted after ``raw fibrous textile materials.''
    The wording ``bed covers; table covers'' is deleted, and the 
wording ``household linen; curtains of textile or plastic'' is inserted 
after ``Textiles and substitutes for textiles'' in Class 24.
    In Class 26, the wording ``hair decorations; false hair'' is added.
    ``Games and playthings'' in Class 28 is changed to ``Games, toys 
and playthings,'' and the wording ``video game apparatus'' is added.
    In Class 31, the wording ``Agricultural, horticultural and forestry 
products'' is amended to ``Raw and unprocessed agricultural, 
aquacultural, horticultural and forestry products,'' and ``fresh fruits 
and vegetables'' is amended to ``fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh 
herbs.'' The wording ``bulbs, seedlings and seeds for planting'' is 
inserted after ``natural plants and flowers.'' ``[F]oodstuffs for 
animals'' is amended to ``foodstuffs and beverages for animals.''
    ``[S]ecurity services for the protection of property and 
individuals'' is amended to ``security services for the physical 
protection of tangible property and individuals'' in Class 45.

Rulemaking Requirements

    Administrative Procedure Act: The changes in this rulemaking 
involve rules of agency practice and procedure, and/or interpretive 
rules. See Perez v. Mortg. Bankers Ass'n, 135 S. Ct. 1199, 1204 (2015) 
(Interpretive rules ``advise the public of the agency's construction of 
the statutes and rules which it administers.'' (citation and internal 
quotation marks omitted)); Nat'l Org. of Veterans' Advocates v. Sec'y 
of Veterans Affairs, 260 F.3d 1365, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (Rule that 
clarifies interpretation of a statute is interpretive.); Bachow 
Commc'ns Inc. v. FCC, 237 F.3d 683, 690 (D.C. Cir. 2001) (Rules 
governing an application process are procedural under the 
Administrative Procedure Act.); Inova Alexandria Hosp. v. Shalala, 244 
F.3d 342, 350 (4th Cir. 2001) (Rules for handling appeals were 
procedural where they did not change the substantive standard for 
reviewing claims.).
    Accordingly, prior notice and opportunity for public comment for 
the changes in this rulemaking are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) or (c), or any other law. See Perez, 135 S. Ct. at 1206 (Notice-
and-comment procedures are required neither when an agency ``issue[s] 
an initial interpretive rule'' nor ``when it amends or repeals that 
interpretive rule.''); Cooper Techs. Co. v. Dudas, 536 F.3d 1330, 1336-
37 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (stating that 5 U.S.C. 553, and thus 35 U.S.C. 
2(b)(2)(B), does not require notice and comment rulemaking for 
``interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of 
agency organization, procedure, or practice'' (quoting 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(A))).
    Regulatory Flexibility Act: As prior notice and an opportunity for 
public comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other 
law, neither a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis, nor a certification 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), is 
required. See 5 U.S.C. 603.
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This 
rulemaking has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 (Sept. 30, 1993).
    Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review): 
The USPTO has complied with Executive Order 13563 (Jan. 18, 2011). 
Specifically, the USPTO has, to the extent feasible and applicable: (1) 
Made a reasoned determination that the benefits justify the costs of 
the rule changes; (2) tailored the rules to impose the least burden on 
society consistent with obtaining the regulatory objectives; (3) 
selected a regulatory approach that maximizes net benefits; (4) 
specified performance objectives; (5) identified and assessed available 
alternatives; (6) provided the public with a meaningful opportunity to 
participate in the regulatory process, including soliciting the views 
of those likely affected prior to issuing a notice of proposed 
rulemaking, and provided on-line access to the rulemaking docket; (7) 
attempted to promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization 
across government agencies and identified goals designed to promote 
innovation; (8) considered approaches that reduce burdens and maintain 
flexibility and freedom of choice for the public; and (9) ensured the 
objectivity of scientific and technological information and processes, 
to the extent applicable.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): This rulemaking does not 
contain policies with federalism implications sufficient to warrant 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment under Executive Order 13132 
(Aug. 4, 1999).
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995: The changes set forth in this 
rulemaking do not involve a Federal intergovernmental mandate that will 
result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) or more in any one 
year, or a Federal private sector mandate that will result in the 
expenditure by the private sector of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) 
or more in any one year, and will not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. Therefore, no actions are necessary under the 
provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. See 2 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This final rule does not involve 
information collection requirements which are subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

[[Page 76869]]

List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 6

    Administrative practice and procedure, Classification, Trademarks.

    For the reasons given in the preamble and under the authority 
contained in 15 U.S.C. 1112, 1123 and 35 U.S.C. 2, as amended, the 
USPTO is amending part 6 of title 37 as follows:

PART 6--CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES UNDER THE TRADEMARK 
ACT

0
1. The authority citation for 37 CFR part 6 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  Secs. 30, 41, 60 Stat. 436, 440; 15 U.S.C. 1112, 
1123; 35 U.S.C. 2, unless otherwise noted.

0
2. Revise Sec.  6.1 to read as follows:


Sec.  6.1  International schedule of classes of goods and services.

Goods

    1. Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as 
in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial 
resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; 
tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for 
preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry.
    2. Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and 
against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; 
metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, 
printing and art.
    3. Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; 
cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; non-medicated 
soaps; perfumery, essential oils, non-medicated cosmetics, non-
medicated hair lotions; non-medicated dentifrices.
    4. Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting 
and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and 
illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting.
    5. Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary 
preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted 
for medical use or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements 
for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for 
stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying 
vermin; fungicides, herbicides.
    6. Common metals and their alloys, ores; metal materials for 
building and construction; transportable buildings of metal; non-
electric cables and wires of common metal; small items of metal 
hardware; metal containers for storage or transport; safes.
    7. Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land 
vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for 
land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; 
incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines.
    8. Hand tools and implements (hand-operated); cutlery; side arms; 
razors.
    9. Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, 
optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-
saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and 
instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, 
regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, 
transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data 
carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital 
recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash 
registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; 
computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus.
    10. Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and 
instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopaedic articles; 
suture materials; therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for the 
disabled; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for 
nursing infants; sexual activity apparatus, devices and articles.
    11. Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, 
refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.
    12. Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.
    13. Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks.
    14. Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious and semi-
precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments.
    15. Musical instruments.
    16. Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; 
photographs; stationery and office requisites, except furniture; 
adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' and drawing 
materials; paintbrushes; instructional and teaching materials; plastic 
sheets, films and bags for wrapping and packaging; printers' type, 
printing blocks.
    17. Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, 
asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; plastics and 
resins in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and 
insulating materials; flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal.
    18. Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins and hides; 
luggage and carrying bags; umbrellas and parasols; walking sticks; 
whips, harness and saddlery; collars, leashes and clothing for animals.
    19. Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid pipes for 
building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable 
buildings; monuments, not of metal.
    20. Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; containers, not of metal, 
for storage or transport; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, whalebone 
or mother-of-pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber.
    21. Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and 
sponges; brushes, except paintbrushes; brush-making materials; articles 
for cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass, except building 
glass; glassware, porcelain and earthenware.
    22. Ropes and string; nets; tents and tarpaulins; awnings of 
textile or synthetic materials; sails; sacks for the transport and 
storage of materials in bulk; padding, cushioning and stuffing 
materials, except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics; raw fibrous 
textile materials and substitutes therefor.
    23. Yarns and threads, for textile use.
    24. Textiles and substitutes for textiles; household linen; 
curtains of textile or plastic.
    25. Clothing, footwear, headgear.
    26. Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and 
eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers; hair decorations; false 
hair.
    27. Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials 
for covering existing floors; wall hangings (non-textile).
    28. Games, toys and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and 
sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees.
    29. Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, 
dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; 
milk and milk products; edible oils and fats.
    30. Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; rice; tapioca and 
sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries and 
confectionery; edible ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-
powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice.
    31. Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural 
and forestry products; raw and unprocessed grains and seeds; fresh 
fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs; natural plants and flowers; bulbs, 
seedlings and seeds for planting; live animals; foodstuffs and 
beverages for animals; malt.

[[Page 76870]]

    32. Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic 
beverages; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other 
preparations for making beverages.
    33. Alcoholic beverages (except beers).
    34. Tobacco; smokers' articles; matches.

Services

    35. Advertising; business management; business administration; 
office functions.
    36. Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs; real estate 
affairs.
    37. Building construction; repair; installation services.
    38. Telecommunications.
    39. Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.
    40. Treatment of materials.
    41. Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and 
cultural activities.
    42. Scientific and technological services and research and design 
relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and 
development of computer hardware and software.
    43. Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation.
    44. Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care 
for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry 
services.
    45. Legal services; security services for the physical protection 
of tangible property and individuals; personal and social services 
rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals.

    Dated: October 31, 2016.
Michelle K. Lee,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2016-26682 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P