Effective January 1, 2025, the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification (2025 Version) officially came into force. When filing trademark applications, Lao Yang from Putui Intellectual Property discovered a newly added subclass in Class 35: “Promotion of goods through influencers” – a category tailor-made for MCN agencies and live-streaming e-commerce influencers.
📊 Industry Context:
According to data from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, live-streaming e-commerce generated ¥4.3 trillion in retail sales from January to November 2024, contributing 80% of the incremental growth in the e-commerce sector. Celebrities, internet influencers, and ordinary individuals alike are flocking to live-streaming sales, driving fierce competition among MCN agencies and influencers.
🛡️ Trademark Evolution:
Previously, MCN agencies and influencers could only register trademarks under broad categories like “advertising” or “marketing.” The new subclass “Promotion of goods through influencers” now:
Precisely defines their core service,
Enables exclusive brand protection for influencer-driven sales,
Blocks unauthorized use of their brands in this specialized service domain.
✅ Strategic Action:
MCN agencies and live-streaming sellers should file applications under this new subclass immediately. Early registration:
Strengthens brand identity,
Secures competitive advantage in a rapidly expanding market.