Intellectual Property Law

What is International Class 9 All About?

Each class has a short title heading that gives a snapshot of what that class is all about -- IC 9's short title is electrical and scientific apparatus. But, as with anything trademark, there's more to it than that. The USPTO has 3107 accepted descriptions that fit into IC 9; check them out here.

This class encompasses nearly any tangible goods that are scientific, nautical, surveying, electric, photographic, cinematographer, optical, weighing, measuring, signaling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers; fire-extinguishing apparatus.

PHEW! Let's break that down a bit. Here are some of the more often used descriptions for International Class 9:

Software of all kinds.
Video games, which also include the peripherals such as joysticks, players, interactive floor pads and interactive remote controls as well as what used to be considered a service ? providing online video games.
CDs, DVDs, audiocassettes, records, whether blank or filled with content, as well as the devices used to play them.
Computer peripherals such as mice, keyboards, printers, and monitors as well as virtually any good related to the telephone, the television or the camera.

What Else is in International Class 9?

Seems like with any of these trademark classes, there always seems to be the oddball item or two and IC 9 is no exception. Here are a few items living in IC 9 that seem to be a weird fit:

? sun glasses, eye glasses and pince-nez
? protective clothing
? dog whistles
? helmets

What's New for International Class 9?

The classification guide is constantly being updated with new goods or services. As the marketplace changes, the trademark office must adapt. Here are some of the 2009 listings for international class 9, good plus date added to the guide:

? Graduated rulers for office and stationery 25 Jun 09
? Hands free devices for mobile-phones 18 Jun 09
? Holders for magnetically encoded gift cards 02 Apr 09
? Life vests 26 Mar 09
? Articles of protective clothing for wear by motorcyclists for protection against accident or injury 5 Feb 09
? Digital music system that synchronizes digital music files stored on a home unit and a car unit 15 Jan 09

Full post as published by TradeMark Express: A Daily Blog on July 15, 2009 (boomark / email).