Content

Classifications

What is new in January 2026?

For patents and utility models: IPC version 2026.01
As of January 1, 2026, around 206 positions will be deleted in the IPC, i.e. transferred to others, but around 517 new positions will be added. Our "IPC Revisions" subpage provides an overview of the most important changes.

For trademarks: 13th edition of the Nice Classification (NCL 13-2026) (in German)
On January 1, 2026, the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (NCL 13-2026) came into force, replacing the 2025 version of the 12th edition of the Nice Classification (NCL 12-2025) dated January 1, 2025.

For Designs: 15th edition of the Locarno Classification and updated Product List (version 2026_LCO15)
On 1 January 2026, the official list of goods for designs (Product List) was updated and, in its version 2026_LOC15, is valid for all design applications filed on or after 1 January 2026. The classification of classes and subclasses in the 15th edition of the Locarno Classification remains in force.

What are intellectual property right classifications for?

Classifications serve to index the content of documents and thus allow for content-driven retrieval, independent of the language of the respective document or the catchwords used.
Relevant classifications are an indispensable aid for the systematic IP search in the corresponding databases, enabling the most complete search results possible.
In the field of trade marks, classification also serves to describe the scope of protection.
Information on the classifications of each type of IP can be found on the following pages:

Bild: iStock.com/radachynskyi, Picture: iStock.com/radachynskyi

Last updated: 22 December 2025