1402.11(c)    Association Services

The classification of services rendered by associations was affected by the reorganization of Class 42 (see TMEP §§1401.11 et seq.).  Prior to January 1, 2002, the Explanatory Notes regarding this topic for the old Class 42 included the language "services (not included in other classes) rendered by associations to their own members."  This language in the old Class 42 allowed identifications of services such as "association services, namely, promoting the interest of lawyers" to be accepted in Class 42.  Effective January 1, 2002, there is no reference to "services rendered by an association" in the Class Heading or Explanatory Notes for any of the service classes; association services are accordingly classified by the nature of the service provided for applications filed on or after January 1, 2002.

The common name of the service provided by the association must be indicated. Most activities rendered by associations are easily classified based on the branch of activity provided, e.g., business services (Class 35), insurance services (Class 36), transportation arrangements (Class 39), training and entertainment (Class 41). See TMEP §1401.02(a) for information about the Nice Classification.