The WIPO update adds a total of 29 new goods/services in 7 classes (Classes 09, 25, 35, 36, 38, 41, and 42) – the full update is outlined below. CNIPA’s update is a little more scaled back, adding 16 new goods/services in 5 classes (Classes 09, 35, 38, 41, and 42), these are also outlined below.
Although the additions in China are not as expansive as the WIPO additions, this is the most expansive update regarding virtual goods and services in China so far, especially compared to the update in 2023 (see Eligon’s blog post here about this update) which added only 3 new standard descriptions in subclass 4105.
Brands should be excited about this progress as China has previously been hesitant to add new standard descriptions regarding virtual goods/services, which led to frustration and gaps for brands trying to obtain coverage for virtual goods/services in China. As discussed in our post here from 2022, almost 80% of applications covering virtual goods or services were rejected that year. Now, almost two years later, China seems finally ready to make it easier for brand owners to protect their identities in the virtual space.
New Goods/Services Accepted as of January 2024:
Those also accepted by China are in GOLD and their subclass is indicated.
Class 09
- Downloadable cryptographic keys for receiving and spending cryptocurrency
- Biometric passports/E-passports
- Downloadable computer software for managing crypto asset transactions using blockchain technology
- Downloadable digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Cryptocurrency hardware wallets
- Downloadable virtual clothing
- Downloadable digital music files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Downloadable computer software applications for minting non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Downloadable application software for virtual environments (subclass 0901)
- Virtual reality controllers (subclass 0908)
- Holographic projection apparatus (subclass 0909)
Class 25:
- Clothing authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
Class 35:
- Marketing through product placement for others in virtual environments (subclass 3503)
- Online retail services for downloadable virtual clothing
- Retail services relating to downloadable digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Provision of an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of downloadable digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
Class 36:
- Electronic transfer of cryptocurrency
- Online banking services rendered in virtual environments
- Financial trading of cryptocurrency
Class 38:
- Providing access to blockchain networks (3802)
- Providing chatrooms in virtual environments (3802)
- Providing online virtual reality-based forums for work collaboration (3802)
Class 41:
- Simulated travel services provided in virtual environments for entertainment purposes (4105)
- Entertainment services provided in virtual environments (4105)
- Rental of humanoid robots having communication and learning functions for entertaining people (4105)
Class 42:
- Blockchain as a service [Baas] (4220)
- Hosting virtual environments (4220)
- Rental of user-programmable humanoid robots, not configured (4220)
- Computer programming of smart contracts on a blockchain (4220)
- Hosting software platforms for virtual reality based work collaboration (4220)
- Rental of smart-glasses (4220)
- Providing online non-downloadable computer software for minting non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
