The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) announced that the term downloadable video files proposed by Korea has been officially recognized as an international goods classification name.

Following the results of the 34th Nice Union Experts Meeting held from April 22 to 26 KIPO confirmed that the international goods classification names will be updated starting January 1 2025.

The Nice Union Experts Meeting is attended by classification experts from Nice Agreement member countries to decide on revisions to the Nice Classification aimed at establishing rational standards. Korea joined in 2011 and there are currently 93 member countries.
When filing a trademark application applicants must specify the goods on which the trademark will be used. This must be done using internationally recognized goods names. A total of 336 names were approved at this meeting with 132 new additions and 204 modifications or deletions.

Significantly the meeting actively considered industry opinions related to Korean Wave culture resulting in the approval of terms proposed by KIPO such as downloadable video files and electronic storage media as official international goods classification names. These names will facilitate Korean international applicants in swiftly and easily obtaining trademark rights for goods related to dramas music videos and entertainment programs.

Additionally nine names proposed by KIPO for scientific or technological convergence products and the growing pet industry have been approved. These include:

(Class 9): Music sequencer devices electronic shelf labels pedestrian traffic signals.
(Class 10): Pet walking aids.
(Class 41): Pet playground services.
(Class 9): Electrical and scientific apparatus.
(Class 10): Medical apparatus.
(Class 41): Education training entertainment services.
Moreover reflecting the practicalities of the trading industry the classification for essential oils previously causing confusion due to their various uses in electronic cigarettes medicinal herbs and insect repellents has been revised. Starting January 1 2025 essential oils will be classified according to their function and use—industrial medical food etc.—instead of being restricted to cosmetics.

Nam Young-Taek Director of Trademark Examination Policy at KIPO emphasized “International applicants for trademarks must pay close attention to the annually changing international goods classification standards. KIPO will continue its multifaceted efforts to help Korean companies gain a favorable position for overseas expansion.”

The international goods classification names approved at this meeting will be reviewed in the latter half of this year to ensure they fit Korea’s classification standards and trading practices and will be reflected in the domestic official names from January 1 2025.

These can be checked on the KIPO website: Knowledge Property System  Classification Codes  Goods Classification Code  Goods Inquiry.