1904.02(f)(i) Limitations to Goods/Services
The holder of an international registration may file with the IB a voluntary amendment of the goods/services that narrows the scope of the identification, called a limitation. A limitation does not remove the goods/services concerned from the international registration but simply narrows the goods/services for which the holder seeks protection in the particular designated Contracting Parties. See TMEP §1906.01(e) regarding the filing of a request to record a limitation with the IB.
An international application or subsequent designation may contain limitations of the listing of goods/services in respect of one or more designated Contracting Parties. Regs. Rule 9(4)(a)(xiii). A limitation also may be filed with the IB separately from the international application or subsequent designation. Article 9bis(iii). Upon recordation, the IB will notify the USPTO if a U.S. application or registration is affected by the limitation. The limitation may appear in the §66(a) application form or in the application record as a separate filing. See TMEP §1904.03(g)(i) regarding limitations in pending requests for extension of protection (§66(a) applications) and §1904.15(a) regarding limitations in registered extensions of protection (§66(a) registrations).
A limitation may only restrict the scope of the goods/services; it may not broaden or extend the listing of goods/services in a pending or registered extension of protection beyond the scope of the basic listing of goods/services or beyond the operative listing of goods/services. See TMEP §1402.07(a), §1904.02(c)-(c)(iv).
See also TMEP §1904.03(g)(i) regarding determining whether a limitation is within the scope of the basic goods/services and regarding assessing limited goods/services with respect to interceding amendments to the identification and any prior limitations.