For every trademark application, the goods and services for which protection is claimed must be specified. Given the virtually endless range of goods and services, a system was developed to provide structure and clarity. The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes. Established by an international agreement in Nice in 1957, approximately 140 countries use this classification when examining and registering trademarks. An updated edition is published every five years, and since 2013, annual updates – known as versions – have been issued to continuously adjust the terminology.
