The Vienna Classification of Figurative Elements of Marks

Trademarks that contain images, logos or devices need a systematic way to be indexed and searched. The Vienna Classification provides that system for the figurative elements of marks. This article explains what it is and how it is used in the trademark process in Vietnam.

What the Vienna Classification is

The Vienna Classification is an international system, established by the Vienna Agreement, for classifying the figurative (image) elements of trademarks. It organises figurative elements into a hierarchy of categories, divisions and sections — for example, grouping together marks that contain stars, animals, human figures or geometric shapes. This makes it possible to index and later retrieve marks based on their visual content.

How it is used

The classification supports the examination and searching of figurative marks in several ways:

• Trademark offices assign Vienna codes to the figurative elements of a mark when it is filed.
• Examiners and applicants use those codes to search for earlier marks with similar visual elements.
• It helps assess whether a new figurative mark may conflict with existing ones.

The Vienna Classification deals only with the figurative content of a mark; the goods and services themselves are classified separately under the Nice Classification.

Relevance in Vietnam

The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam uses the Vienna Classification to code and search figurative marks. For applicants, understanding the relevant Vienna categories helps when conducting clearance searches for logos and devices before filing, so that potential conflicts with earlier figurative marks can be identified. Editions of the classification are updated over time, and the applicable edition should be checked for current codes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Vienna Classification the same as the Nice Classification?

No. The Vienna Classification covers the figurative elements of marks, while the Nice Classification covers the goods and services.

Do I assign the Vienna codes myself?

The office generally assigns the codes, but understanding them is useful for conducting searches on figurative marks before filing.

Does the classification affect the scope of my protection?

It is primarily an indexing and search tool; the scope of protection is defined by the mark and the goods and services, not by the Vienna codes.

How LTV Law helps

LTV Law conducts figurative mark searches using the Vienna Classification and advises on the registrability of logos and device marks in Vietnam — contact our team.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.