Trademarks are used to distinguish goods and services of companies. The classification of goods and services is defined by the International treaty known as "Nice Classification" or "International Classification of Goods and Services". Every five years the Nice Classification is revised.
Co-operation between WIPO and OHIM on Trademark Classification
On December 3, 2009 the President of the OHIM (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)) and the Director General of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) signed an Agreement concerning trademark classifications.
This Agreement is to provide users all over the world an easy and standardised access to trademark proceedings. Both organizations are anxious to use the same lists of goods and services in as many languages as possible.