🎸 Nice Class 15: Musical Instruments
The EUIPO register holds 10,737 trademarks in Class 15, the niche class for musical instruments and their accessories (as of July 2026). (as of July 2026).
10,737
Marks in the EU register
6,434
Registered with the EUIPO
+3 %
Growth 2020–2024
55 %
Word mark share
Class 15 is one of the smallest Nice classes: it covers musical instruments and their accessories, from guitars and pianos to music stands. The EUIPO register holds 10,737 trademarks in Class 15, of which 6,434 are registered (as of July 2026, EUIPO register data). The class is stable but small: new registrations stood at 531 in 2020 and 546 in 2024, a 3 percent increase, with another 526 added in 2025. The class is dominated by the big heritage makers: Yamaha leads with 185 trademarks, followed by Gibson (141) and Roland (96). Then it gets curious, because FIFA (48) appears among the top filers, ahead of audio specialist Focusrite (47). With 55 percent word marks, the class is also comparatively name-driven. For founders, that means the register is easy to survey, but the few dominant players defend their brands rigorously.
What belongs in Class 15?
Class 15 covers musical instruments and their accessories: string, keyboard, wind and percussion instruments, plus strings, picks, mouthpieces, music stands and instrument cases. One important distinction: as soon as electronics come into play, you are quickly in Class 9 territory. Audio interfaces, amplifiers, effects units, recording software and headphones belong there. Printed sheet music and tutor books fall under Class 16, toy instruments under Class 28.
Typical examples: Musical instruments and accessories
New EUIPO registrations per year in Class 15
Most active applicants in Class 15
| # | Applicant | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yamaha Corporation | 185 |
| 2 | Gibson Inc | 141 |
| 3 | Roland Corporation | 96 |
| 4 | Fédération Internationale De Football Association (Fifa) | 48 |
| 5 | Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited | 47 |
| 6 | Drum Workshop Inc | 43 |
| 7 | Gewa Music Gmbh | 40 |
| 8 | Hoshino Gakki Co Ltd | 40 |
| 9 | Comité International Olympique (Association) | 39 |
| 10 | Thomann Gmbh | 38 |
Word mark or figurative mark?
Often combined with
Before filing, work out where your product really belongs: the acoustic instrument in Class 15, the electronics in Class 9. In practice, Class 15 is most often combined with Class 9 (audio electronics and software), Class 16 (sheet music and teaching materials) and Class 28 (toy instruments). With 55 percent word marks in the class, name protection is worth a close look, since a word mark protects you independently of any logo. And search specifically against the big manufacturers; in a class this small, similarities get noticed fast.
Common mistakes with Class 15
The classic mistake in this niche: reflexively filing music gear in Class 15 when it does not belong there. If you build effects pedals, audio interfaces or software, you need Class 9, not Class 15, and small manufacturers overlook this boundary all the time. Second mistake: forgetting the surroundings. Sheet music, teaching materials and paper accessories sit in Class 16, toy and starter instruments for children in Class 28. And third, founders underestimate the incumbents: according to EUIPO register data (as of July 2026), Yamaha, Gibson and Roland file by far the most and watch closely for names that come too close to their brands.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belongs in Nice Class 15?
Class 15 covers musical instruments and their accessories: string, keyboard, wind and percussion instruments, plus strings, picks, music stands and cases. Electronics such as audio interfaces, effects units and recording software belong in Class 9 instead, and printed sheet music in Class 16.
Who files the most trademarks in Class 15?
According to EUIPO register data (as of July 2026), Yamaha leads with 185 trademarks, ahead of Gibson (141) and Roland (96). They are followed by FIFA (48), which as an event organiser secures its brands broadly across many classes, and audio manufacturer Focusrite (47).
Does my guitar pedal or audio interface belong in Class 15?
No, usually not. Class 15 covers instruments and mechanical accessories. Effects pedals, audio interfaces, amplifiers and software are electronics and belong in Class 9. If you offer both, say guitars and pedals, it makes sense to file both classes.
Which classes are typically combined with Class 15?
Most often Class 9 for audio electronics and software, Class 16 for sheet music and teaching materials, and Class 28 for toy instruments. A maker that sells tutor books and children's instruments alongside its instruments covers the typical gaps with 15, 16 and 28.
Sources
EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office: register data on EU trade marks and international registrations with EU protection, as of July 2026.
WIPO – Nice Classification: class definitions and headings (11th edition).
Methodology: own analysis by markencheck.ai; counted per filing entity, name variants merged.
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