On Wednesday, the USPTO announced its upcoming 2007 revisions to the Trademark Design Code Search Manual. Approximately 80 new design search codes will be added, and several current broad design search code sections will be divided into several smaller sections. While many of the changes have to do with shapes and quantities of objects, some notable changes include sections limited to men, women and children formed by letters, numbers, punctuation or geometric shapes, whereby other “grotesque” men, women and children are separated into their own category. Cotton plants (05.13.08) and marijuana plants (05.13.09) no longer share the same classification. Sporting balls are also separated into individual categories, including soccer and volley balls (21.03.15), golf balls (and tees) (21.03.16), bowling balls (21.03.17), and basketballs (21.03.20), to name a few. In addition, the State of Texas now has its own code (01.17.12). The full list of changes (in chart form) is available at the USPTO announcement link (below). The changes are scheduled to take effect early next year.

USPTO Announcement: LINK
USPTO Design Search Code Manual: LINK