As a result of a recent change in practice, the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) is now accepting registration of service marks for "retail services" in Class 35 in Taiwan. The NBS has divided retail services into two groups, namely, general retail services, which include department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores, and specialized retail services, which include fashion, furniture and shoe stores. We have been advised that, since the services included in the two groups are dissimilar in principle, it would be possible for different entities to register an identical or similar mark for services in each of the two groups. All undecided service mark applications for retail services will be examined under the new practice.