Games, toys and playthings; video game apparatus; gymnastic and sporting articles; decorations for Christmas trees.
Trademark applications and registrations in Class 28 over the past 15 years.
Class 28 covers games, toys, playthings, video game apparatus, gymnastic and sporting articles, and Christmas tree decorations. It is one of the highest-volume classes, driven by the massive global markets for toys, sports equipment, and gaming hardware.
The class's top filers — Hasbro, Mattel, and Nintendo — represent the traditional toy, doll, and video game hardware segments. Class 28 is where gaming consoles, controllers, and physical game apparatus are classified, making it a critical filing for entertainment technology companies. Sporting goods manufacturers from golf club makers to fitness equipment brands also file heavily here. The inclusion of Christmas tree decorations adds a seasonal retail dimension to an otherwise year-round category.
The single most important classification boundary in Class 28 is with Class 9: video game software and downloadable games belong in Class 9, while the physical hardware and apparatus for playing video games belongs in Class 28. This distinction has generated extensive USPTO examination guidance and continues to challenge applicants in the gaming industry. Playing cards are classified in Class 16, not Class 28. Sporting clothing belongs in Class 25. Sporting protective gear can fall in either Class 28 or Class 9 depending on its nature, creating another frequently contested boundary.
Toy and game companies almost always file in both Classes 28 and 9 to cover physical products and digital extensions. Entertainment brands add Class 41 for entertainment services. Sporting goods brands pair Class 28 with Class 25 for athletic apparel. The class's breadth — spanning board games, action figures, exercise machines, golf clubs, and holiday ornaments — means that applicants must provide precise identifications of goods to avoid overly broad or ambiguous filings.
Class 28 includes mainly toys, apparatus for playing games, sports equipment, amusement and novelty items, as well as certain articles for Christmas trees.
| # | Owner | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. | 1,217 |
| 2 | LIGHT & WONDER, INC. | 874 |
| 3 | IGT | 832 |
| 4 | MATTEL, INCORPORATED | 830 |
| 5 | MAISON BATTAT, INC. | 629 |
| 6 | HASBRO. INC. | 605 |
| 7 | Euro Games Technology Ltd. | 596 |
| 8 | KONAMI GAMING, INC. | 542 |
| 9 | CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY | 444 |
| 10 | KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION | 370 |
| # | Firm | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MATTEL, INC. | 9,463 |
| 2 | Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. | 2,803 |
| 3 | Overseas Operation Services, Inc. DBA Flatfee Corp. | 2,189 |
| 4 | LegalForce RAPC Worldwide, P.C. | 1,919 |
| 5 | IGT, In-House Counsel | 1,720 |
| 6 | TIANYU LAW GROUP, INC. | 1,680 |
| 7 | LZ Legal Services, LLC | 1,672 |
| 8 | Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. | 1,573 |
| 9 | Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, P.C. | 1,479 |
| 10 | Kunzler Bean & Adamson | 1,334 |
Editorial deep dives spanning Nice Class 28 and adjacent classes
Worldle LLC filed an application, a request to register a mark, for WORLDLE on online game software used without downloads.
A handful of cases quietly decide whether two brands can share the register. From du Pont to Detroit Athletic, here is the confusion canon examiners rely on - and what each case actually settled.
The Board refused the request to register UNPLEX after finding that UNPLEX TECHNOLOGIES had been used first in the United States.
Explore 216,424 live trademarks in Toys, Games & Sports Equipment. Search by name, owner, or serial number — then filter by Class 28.
Search TrademarksVideo game hardware (consoles, controllers, VR headsets) belongs in Class 28. Video game software (downloadable games, game apps) belongs in Class 9. Most gaming companies file in both classes.
Gymnastic and sporting articles (dumbbells, treadmills, exercise bikes) belong in Class 28. However, wearable fitness trackers are in Class 9, and gym clothing is in Class 25.
Decorations specifically for Christmas trees belong in Class 28. General home decorations and ornaments are classified elsewhere: in Class 20 (non-metal decorative items) or Class 14 (precious metal ornaments).
Playground equipment (swings, slides, climbing structures) designed for recreational use belongs in Class 28. Permanently installed construction-grade playground structures may also fall under Class 19 or Class 6.
Toy drones and remote-controlled vehicles operated for recreation belong in Class 28 as toys and playthings. Commercial or professional drones used for photography, surveying, or delivery are classified in Class 12 (vehicles) or Class 9 (electronics). The intended use determines the classification.
Playing cards and trading card games (like collectible card games) are classified in Class 28 as games. Printed trading cards without a game mechanic — such as sports cards collected for display — may fall under Class 16 (printed matter). Most trading card brands file in both classes.
Yes. Connected fitness equipment like smart exercise bikes, interactive treadmills, and digital weight systems belong in Class 28 as gymnastic and sporting articles. The companion software or app would be classified in Class 9, and streaming fitness classes fall under Class 41 (entertainment services).
Inflatable pool toys, floats, and water toys belong in Class 28 as playthings. Inflatable swimming pools themselves may also be in Class 28. However, inflatable boats used for actual navigation belong in Class 12 (vehicles).
No. Class 28 covers the physical board games and game pieces. A board game cafe or gaming lounge would need Class 43 (food service) and Class 41 (entertainment services). The game publisher files in Class 28; the venue operator files in Classes 41 and 43.
The physical gaming peripherals (controllers, arcade sticks) belong in Class 28. Team jerseys and apparel belong in Class 25. Digital content and game software fall under Class 9. Esports tournament services are Class 41. An esports organization typically files in four or more classes.