Unidentified objects

07-03-2022

Spring Chang and Michael Wu

Unidentified objects

Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com

When technology combines with established products, classifying the IP can be a challenge, say Spring Chang and Michael Wu of Chang Tsi & Partners.

The world is changing faster than ever before. Globally, technology is changing everything we do. Crossover products and services are becoming more attractive to consumers. We are seeing more and more products and services equipped with new technology, such as fabric nanowire clothing, 3D printing, blockchain, and internet of things—terms we did not hear 20 years ago.

All these have changed the landscape of the traditional classification system and the existing criteria on similarity.

On the one hand, we embrace emerging technologies as well as their brilliant future, but on the other hand, we should also be more creative and proactive than before in considering the nature of the "new" goods and services.


NICE classification system, patents, trademarks, brands, IP offices, internet of things, 3D printing, blockchain

WIPR