# TMEP § 1401.02: International Trademark Classification Adopted

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1401.02
- **Heading:** International Trademark Classification Adopted
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 1400 - Classification and Identification of Goods and Services / TMEP § 1401.02

## Text

As of September 1, 1973, the international classification
of goods and services is the controlling classification used by the United States, and
it applies to all applications filed on or after September 1, 1973, and their resulting
registrations, for all statutory purposes.
See
37
C.F.R. §2.85(a)
.  Unless otherwise indicated, references in this
manual to class refer to the international class.
Prior to September 1, 1973, the United States used its own
classification of goods and services, which is different from the international
classification.  The prior United States classification continues to govern for all
statutory purposes for trademark applications filed on or before August 31, 1973, and
all registrations issued on the basis of an application filed on or before August 31,
1973, unless the owner of the registration amends the registration to adopt
international classification.
37 C.F.R.
§2.85(b)
.
If a registration issued under the United States
classification system, the owner of the registration may voluntarily amend to reclassify
under the international classification system, pursuant to §7(e) of the Trademark Act,
15 U.S.C. §1057(e)
, if the owner pays the required fee.
37 C.F.R. §§2.6
and
2.85(e)(3)
.
See
TMEP
§1609.04
.
Classification schedules are set forth in Part 6 of the
Trademark Rules of Practice.  See
37 C.F.R. §6.1
for the international
classification schedule for goods and services,
37 C.F.R. §6.2
for the prior United States
classification schedule for goods and services,
37 C.F.R.
§6.3
for certification marks, and
37 C.F.R. §6.4
for collective membership
marks.

## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 1401.01 Statutory Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1401.02 International Trademark Classification Adopted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02.md)
- [TMEP § 1401.02(a) Headings of International Trademark Classes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.02(b) Short Titles for International Trademark Classes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.02(c) International Alphabetical List](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.03 Designation of Class](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.03.md)
- [TMEP § 1401.03(a) Designation of Class by Applicant Normally Initially Accepted in Applications Under §§1 and 44](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.03(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.03(b) Designation of Class by USPTO When Class Number Is Not Designated or Is Inaccurate in Application Under §1 or §44](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.03(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.03(c) Failure to Classify May Delay Action in Applications Under §§1 and 44](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.03(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.03(d) Classification Determined by World Intellectual Property Organization in §66(a) Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.03(d).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.04 Classification Determines Number of Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.04.md)
- [TMEP § 1401.04(a) Prior United States Classification System](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.04(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.04(b) Limiting Goods and Services to the Number of Classes for Which Filing Fees Are Paid](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.04(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1401.05 Criteria on Which International Classification Is Based](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.05.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1401.02. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.