Additional countries join TMClass and the Harmonised Database

TMClass additions

The Namibian Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) declared that the country has officially joined TMClass as of August 13, 2021, following the additions of the IP Offices of Trinidad and Tobago (TTIPO), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (CIPO-VC), and Honduras (DIGEPIH) respectively throughout July.

TMClass is a unique tool which allows users to search for goods and services, helping to identify correct terms and corresponding classes under the Nice Classification in relation to a trademark application. Moreover, it also provides for this information to be accessible in 44 different languages.

TMClass now comprises 86 participating regional and national IP offices, inclusive of the new addition of BIPA. The addition of Namibia to the tool is a result of the Intellectual Property Rights Action for Africa project, implemented by the EUIPO and directed by the European Commission.

Harmonised Database additions

One of the most beneficial elements of TMClass is the Harmonised Database of Goods and Services (HDB). The Philippines became the most recent jurisdiction to make use of and accept the terms contained within the database, as of July 28, 2021. The move has been a result of the IP Key South-East Asia programme, which is also executed by the EUIPO, with funding from the EU.

The Intellectual Property Offices of Saint Kitts and Nevis (IPOSKN), Honduras (DIGEPIH), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (CIPO-VC) also adopted the use of the HDB throughout July. As such, these jurisdictions will be able to make use of the HDB and the list of terms contained therein.

The Harmonised Database provides users access to over 78,000 terms in relation to goods and services which have been approved and accepted by all EU national and regional intellectual property offices, as well as 17 IP offices outside of the EU, now including the above-mentioned countries.

Trademark applicants can utilise the HDB by selecting a term from the database in relation to their goods and services, which will be accepted upon examination of a mark, streamlining the application process. The terms selected from the HDB are also automatically translated into each other EU language, with the exception of the Irish language, eliminating the need for applicants to manually translate the terms themselves.