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Trade Marks Journal No. 013/2012
Page No. xlvii
F) PERTAINING TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
(I) General Information
Pre-2004 Circulars
(8 th Edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services, this circular was
removed on 18 January 2008)
Compliance with the International Classification of Goods and Services
To assist the Registrar in expediting the acceptance of trade mark applications for
registration, agents are reminded to ensure that the specifications of goods or services set
out in the application forms conform with the International Classification of Goods and
Services as far as possible. Very often, the Registrar receives applications where the marks
are acceptable for registration but the specifications are not in order. This slows down the
registration process.
Precedents in Support of Specification
In the examination of the specification of goods or services for compliance with the
International Classification of Goods and Services, the Registrar is prepared to rely on
precedents relating to Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong registrations.
Applicants and agents are therefore free to file these precedents in support of their
specifications of goods and services for the Registrar's consideration.
However, the Registrar would not rely on such precedents in the following situations:
(a) where the precedent relates to goods or services which have been accepted by the
Registrar concerned in the wrong class;
(b) where the precedent relates to goods or services which are no longer classified in the
class stated in the precedent in view of a change of classes by the Special Union for the
International Classification of Goods and Services for the purposes of the Registration of
Marks (Nice Union);
(c) where the precedent relates to goods or services which are no longer classified in the
class stated in the precedent in view of a change or clarification of practice by the Registry
concerned.
The use of square brackets [ ] and round brackets ( ) in specifications
An expression between square brackets is intended to define more precisely the text or
item preceding the brackets. Square brackets are used when the item is ambiguous for
classification purposes. Round brackets are used to qualify the text or item preceding the
brackets to ensure the correct classification. Round brackets are used when it is possible
that the item can be classified in various classes depending on the intended goods or
services sought to be covered.
Use of the term “Internet” in specifications of goods and services
In view of the widespread use of the term “Internet” in the generic sense, the Registrar will
henceforth not raise any objections to the use of the term “Internet” in the specifications of
goods and services of Singapore national applications or international registrations
designating Singapore.