The JPO will introduce revised examination guidelines on similarity of goods and services reflecting the 10th Edition of the International Classification. The revised guidelines will come into effect on January 1, 2012. Some of the major changes are the following:

Class 5
The revised Examination Guidelines differentiate between “pharmaceuticals” and “pesticides.” In addition, they include new sections for the goods “dietary supplements for humans,” “dietetic beverages adapted for medical purposes; dietetic foods adapted for medical purposes,” “beverages for babies; foods for babies” and “dietary supplements for animals.”

Class 25
The revised Examination Guidelines differentiate between specialized clothing and footwear for sports and for water sports. In addition, “sneaker” will be classified as “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports].” As a reflection of this change, “tennis shoes; basketball shoes; volleyball shoes etc” will be removed from “special footwear for sports.”

An English translation of the examination guidelines on similarity of goods and services (corresponding to the 10th Edition of the International Classification) is available at the following URL (Japanese language page) by clicking the relevant class number:

http://www.jpo.go.jp/cgi/link.cgi?url=/shiryou/kijun/kijun2/ruiji_kijun10_eng.htm