Article 4 Use of the Classification of Figurative Elements

Subject to the requirements prescribed by this Agreement, the scope of the Classification of Figurative Elements shall be that attributed to it by each country of the Special Union. In particular, the Classification of Figurative Elements shall not bind the countries of the Special Union in respect of the extent of the protection afforded to the mark.

The competent Offices of the countries of the Special Union shall have the right to use the Classification of Figurative Elements either as a principal or as a subsidiary system.

The competent Offices of the countries of the Special Union shall include in the official documents and publications relating to registrations and renewals of marks the numbers of the categories, divisions and sections in which the figurative elements of those marks are to be placed.

The said numbers shall be preceded by the words ‘Classification of Figurative Elements’ or an abbreviation thereof to be determined by the Committee of Experts referred to in Article 5.

Any country may, at the time of its signature or of the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession, declare that it does not undertake to include the numbers of all or some of the sections in official documents and publications relating to registrations and renewals of marks.

If any country of the Special Union entrusts the registration of marks to an intergovernmental authority, it shall take all possible measures to ensure that that authority uses the Classification of Figurative Elements in accordance with this Article.