Musical instruments; music stands and stands for musical instruments; conductors' batons.
Trademark applications and registrations in Class 15 over the past 15 years.
Class 15 covers musical instruments, music stands and stands for musical instruments, and conductors' batons. It is among the smallest goods classes, reflecting the relatively concentrated nature of the musical instrument manufacturing industry. The class's narrow scope — limited exclusively to instruments and their most direct accessories — makes classification straightforward in most cases, but the boundary with audio equipment in Class 9 remains a persistent source of confusion.
The class's top filers — Bates & Bates, Fox Rothschild, and Scarinci Hollenbeck — are IP firms representing a mix of established instrument manufacturers and newer brands in the growing direct-to-consumer instrument market. Unlike many small classes that are dominated by a few large players, Class 15 has a relatively diverse filing landscape, with traditional manufacturers of guitars, pianos, and band instruments competing alongside boutique luthiers and electronic instrument startups.
The defining classification boundary in Class 15 is with Class 9. The distinction rests on whether the device creates music or processes and reproduces sound. Electronic keyboards, synthesizers, and digital drum machines are Class 15 because they are instruments used to create music. Microphones, speakers, amplifiers, headphones, and audio recording equipment are Class 9 because they capture, amplify, or reproduce sound. DJ turntables and mixing equipment fall under Class 9 as audio apparatus. Guitar effect pedals present an interesting edge case — they are generally considered Class 15 accessories when sold as instrument components, though standalone audio processors may implicate Class 9.
Musical instrument brands typically file across Classes 9, 15, 25, and 41, covering audio equipment and apps, the instruments themselves, branded apparel and merchandise, and music education services. Instrument case manufacturers should note that cases specifically designed for musical instruments belong in Class 15, while generic carrying cases are Class 18. Brands expanding into digital music tools often add Class 42 for software development services related to music production platforms.
Class 15 includes mainly musical instruments, their parts and their accessories.
Editorial deep dives spanning Nice Class 15 and adjacent classes
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Explore 11,669 live trademarks in Musical Instruments. Search by name, owner, or serial number — then filter by Class 15.
Search TrademarksMusical instruments, including electronic keyboards and synthesizers, belong in Class 15. Audio recording equipment (microphones, speakers, amplifiers) belongs in Class 9. The distinction is whether the device creates music or processes/records sound.
Yes. Music stands, instrument cases, guitar strings, drumsticks, picks, and conductors' batons are all classified in Class 15 alongside the instruments themselves.
DJ turntables used for mixing and scratching records are typically in Class 9 (audio apparatus). Traditional phonograph turntables for record playback are also in Class 9. Only devices that are musical instruments in themselves belong in Class 15.
Guitar amplifiers are classified in Class 9 as audio equipment, not Class 15. Amplifiers capture and reproduce sound rather than create music. The guitar itself is Class 15, but the amp is Class 9.
Guitar effect pedals are generally considered Class 15 accessories when sold as instrument components. However, standalone audio processors and multi-effects units may implicate Class 9. Filing in both classes provides broader protection.
Cases specifically designed for musical instruments belong in Class 15. Generic carrying cases and bags belong in Class 18 (leather goods and luggage). The specificity of the case design determines the classification.
Software-based instruments and music production apps are classified in Class 9 (downloadable software), not Class 15. Class 15 covers physical instruments only. Digital instrument brands typically file in both Class 9 and Class 15.
No. Karaoke machines are classified in Class 9 as audio and video reproduction apparatus. They play back recorded music rather than creating it. Class 15 is limited to devices that are musical instruments themselves.
Instrument brands typically file in Class 15 (instruments and accessories), Class 9 (audio equipment, apps, and digital tools), Class 25 (branded apparel and merchandise), and Class 41 (music education services). Adding Class 42 for music software development is increasingly common.