The Committee of Experts of the Nice Union made it a rule to hold its meeting at least once per year in order to add, change and delete descriptions of goods and services and their classification at its 21st session.

Accordingly, changes to the 10th edition of the Nice Classification were adopted by the Committee of Experts of the Nice Union at its 22nd session, held in Geneva, in April, 2012.

Pursuant to the above changes, JPO introduced revised examination guidelines on similarity of goods and services reflecting the 10th edition – version 2013 of the International Classification. The revised guidelines have come into effect on January 1, 2013. Some of the major changes are the following:

Classes 8 and 21
The class of “Pot stands” and “Japanese charcoal extinguishers [Hikeshi-tsubo]” has been revised from class 8 to class 21.

Class 37
“Rental of drainage pumps” has been added to class 37.

Class 39
“Rental of aircraft engines” has been added to class 39.

Class 40
“Rental of boilers” has been added to class 40.

An English translation of the examination guidelines on similarity of goods and services (corresponding to the 10th edition – version 2013 of the International Classification) is available at the following URL (English language page) by clicking the relevant class number:

http://www.jpo.go.jp/cgi/linke.cgi?url=/tetuzuki_e/t_tokkyo_e/goods_services_10-2013.htm