WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION /
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF THE NICE UNION – 25TH SESSION /
COMITÉ D’EXPERTS DE L’UNION DE NICE – 25ÈME SESSION
April 27 to May 1, 2015 / 27 avril – 1er mai 2015
Project / Projet:
CE252 Anx 5
Rapporteur: IB
PROPOSAL CONCERNING ELECTRICALLY HEATED SOCKS /
PROPOSITION CONCERNANT LES CHAUSSETTES
CHAUFFÉES ÉLECTRIQUEMENT
Date: February 23, 2015 /
Rapporteur Proposal / Proposition du rapporteur
23 février 2015
INTRODUCTION
This project contains a proposal concerning the classification of electrically heated socks,
submitted by the United States of America.
Ce projet contient une proposition concernant le classement des chaussettes chauffées
électriquement, soumise par les États-Unis d’Amérique.
CE252 – ANX 5, page 2
Resubmission of proposal to transfer “socks, electricaly heated” based on prior study
These proposals seek to provide a solution that resolves the outstanding issue of the proper
classification of electrically heated clothing; specifically, by classifying all electrically heated
clothing, whether or not for life-saving purposes, in Class 11, pursuant to the Class 11 Class
Heading, “Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying,
ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.”
ALPHABETICAL LIST ENTRIES AT ISSUE:
Current Alphabetical List Entry
Socks, electrically heated
Footmuffs, electrically heated
Footmuffs, not electrically heated
Current Alphabetical List Classification
Class 9
Class 11
Class 25
Electrically-heated socks are clothing socks that are worn for the purpose of relieving cold feet
by electrically providing a continuous direct heat source that warms the feet.
Footmuffs, not electrically heated, are muffs used to keep the feet warm. (See:
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/footmuff)
Footmuffs, electrically heated are muffs for the feet that are used for relieving cold feet by
electrically providing a continuous direct heat source that warms the feet.
Because “footmuffs, not electrically heated” and “footmuffs, electrically heated” are muffs that
envelope both feet in a pouch, footmuffs cannot be worn with shoes or while walking/participating
in activities that require walking. It is also noted that, in the UK and other European countries, the
term “footmuffs” is often construed as referring to the following particular goods for infants:
footmuff (plural footmuffs)
CE252 – ANX 5, page 3
1. (UK) A cover for a baby's feet or legs which attaches through the harness of a pushchair,
stroller, or travel system. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/footmuff
The current Alphabetical List classification inconsistencies can be rectified by classifying all
electrically-heated clothing, whether or not for life-saving purposes, in Class 11, pursuant to the
Class 11 Class Heading, which includes “Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating,
cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.” However, it is
noted that the 10th Edition Class Heading for International Class 11 includes “Apparatus for lighting,
heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary
purposes,” with the following exception: “Electrically heated clothing (Cl. 9).” Accordingly, this
solution requires (1) that the Class 11 Class Heading be amended to delete the wording “This
Class does not include, in particular: - electrically heated clothing (Cl. 9)” and (2) that “socks,
electrically heated” be transferred to Class 11.
It should be noted that, while this solution does not take into account the practice of classifying
goods that have a particular life-saving purpose in Class 9, the USPTO’s research does not
evidence the common existence of any electrically heated clothing that serves a Class 9 life-saving
purpose. The most commonly-found item of protective clothing that prevents or protects the wearer
from a life-threatening condition (such as hypothermia) that is related to exposure to cold
temperatures is the “immersion suit,” which is designed to prevent or protect the wearer from
exposure to cold water temperatures. Immersion suits are not electrically heated because they are
designed for use in water http://www.landfallnavigation.com/immersionsuits.html:
Further, it is noted that “Electrically heated carpets” appear in the Nice Alphabetical List (Basic No.
110310) in Class 11, and “Blankets, electric, not for medical purposes” appear in the Nice
Alphabetical List (Basic No. 110305) in Class 11. The classification of both electrically heated
carpets and electrically heated blankets in Class 11 supports the principle that goods that have a
heating or warming purpose are properly classified in International Class 11, and this principle
upholds the proposed USPTO solution of classifying clothing that is electrically heated in Class 11.
CE252 – ANX 5, page 4
A/
R/
W1
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de
base ou
endroit
US-25-62
9
090121
Transfer
US-25-62
9
090121
Transférer
US-25-63
11
Explanatory
Add
Note
This Class includes, in particular:
…
– electrically heated clothing;
US-25-63
11
Note
explicative
Cette classe comprend notamment :
…
– les vêtements chauffés électriquement ;
US-25-63
11
Explanatory
Delete
note
11
Note
explicative
Prop.
No./n°
US-25-63
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
socks, electrically heated
11
chaussettes chauffées électriquement
11
Ajouter
Supprimer
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
Remarks/Remarques
This Class does not include, in particular:
…
– electrically heated clothing (Cl. 9).
Cette classe ne comprend pas notamment :
…
– les vêtements chauffés électriquement (cl. 9).
End of document/Fin du document
1
A: Approved/Approuvé; R: Rejected/Rejeté; W: Withdrawn/Retiré