Apart from this the use of general terms is affected. Starting now the classification has to clearly indicate which goods and services the trademark will be applied for. This is also true for trademarks that are already registered. In the past class headings could be used, implying that all possible goods and services of that particular class were covered. This is no longer the case. Owners of already registered trademarks will be allowed six months to rectify their classification. If this is not done there is a risk that the trademark loses its validity.
The requirement that a trademark must be graphically depicted will also disappear. This means that non-graphical signs may also be registered as a trademark. For example short films (like the lion from MGM), holograms, scent marks, sound marks and taste mark may all be registerable. We will send an extra newsletter regarding this in March.
