Indonesia Trade Mark Search: The Impact of Changes to Class 9 of the Nice Classification Effective 1 January 2026

If you are conducting—or planning to conduct—an indonesia trade mark search, there is one key update you need to be aware of starting 1 January 2026: the scope of Class 9 under the Nice Classification is changing. Misunderstanding this update can lead to inaccurate search results and unnecessary risks at the filing stage.

Key Changes to Class 9 You Need to Know

Effective 1 January 2026, two categories of goods will no longer fall under Class 9:

1. Eyewear Moved to Class 10

The following products are no longer classified under Class 9:

• spectacles,

• sunglasses,

• contact lenses.

All eyewear products are officially reclassified under Class 10, which covers medical devices and related equipment.

Direct impact on indonesia trade mark search:
Trade mark searches for eyewear products should no longer be limited to Class 9. Searches must focus on Class 10, otherwise the results may be misleading.

2. Emergency Vehicles Moved to Class 12

Vehicles such as:

• fire engines,

• lifeboats,

• other emergency and rescue vehicles

are reclassified from Class 9 to Class 12, which covers vehicles and means of transport.

Direct impact:
Trade mark searches for emergency and rescue vehicles should now be conducted under Class 12, not Class 9 as was common practice in the past.

Why This Matters in an Indonesia Trade Mark Search

In practice, most issues arise not at the filing stage, but during the trade mark search itself. With the updated classification:

• searching under the old class may produce incomplete results;

• a mark may appear “clear” even though conflicts exist in the new class;

• selecting the wrong class from the outset increases the risk of objections, amendments, or future disputes.

For users seeking information, the key takeaway is simple:
indonesia trade mark search must follow the latest edition of the Nice Classification to ensure the results are legally relevant and reliable.

Are Existing Trade Marks Affected?

Trade marks registered before 1 January 2026 generally remain valid.
However, risks commonly arise when:

• filing new trade mark applications,

• expanding product lines, or

• reviewing an existing trade mark portfolio.

In these situations, relying on outdated classifications may no longer be appropriate.

Legal Basis and Official Sources

These changes are set out in the 13th edition of the Nice Classification, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization and developed with member states based on proposals submitted by the International Trademark Association.

As Indonesia follows the Nice Classification in trade mark practice, these updates are directly relevant within the Indonesian trade mark system.

What This Means for Indonesia Trade Mark Search

From 1 January 2026, indonesia trade mark search can no longer rely on outdated assumptions, particularly for eyewear products and emergency vehicles. Searches must reflect the updated scope of Class 9 to ensure accuracy and support sound legal decision-making.

Getting the trade mark search right from the start means lower risk at the registration stage and stronger trade mark protection overall.