A brief description of the Locarno Classification System

The Locarno Classification system is used as a means of classification for industrial designs. Designs are divided up in to classes based on what goods they will be applied to. In 1968 the The Locarno Classification system came into being, based on a multilateral treaty administered by The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), known as the “Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs”. The agreement is open to those states who are party to the Paris Convention for the protection of industrial property. Individuals do not have to specify classes when they make a design application. UK Intellectual Property Office will do that for you as part of the examination of the application.