🔩 Nice Class 6: Metals & Metal Goods
The EUIPO register holds 114,446 trademarks in Class 6, the class for common metals, metal hardware, fittings and pipes (as of July 2026). (as of July 2026).
114,446
Marks in the EU register
68,965
Registered with the EUIPO
+22 %
Growth 2020–2024
53 %
Word mark share
Class 6 is the metal goods class: it covers common metals and their alloys, metal building materials, locks, fittings, pipes and small items of hardware. The EUIPO register holds 114,446 trademarks in Class 6, of which 68,965 are registered (as of July 2026, EUIPO register data). The class is growing strongly: new registrations rose from 4,758 in 2020 to 5,789 in 2024, a 22 percent increase, with another 5,687 added in 2025. The top filers read like a directory of industrial mid-sized champions: lock specialist Abus leads with 154 trademarks, just ahead of Kohler (152), building products group Kingspan (148) and drainage specialist ACO (142). And then, as in several other goods classes, comes UEFA with 129 trademarks, because broad merchandising protection extends all the way to key rings and other metal items. Word marks make up 53 percent of the class, yet the real trap lies elsewhere: in the material logic of the Nice Classification.
What belongs in Class 6?
Class 6 covers common metals and their alloys, metal building materials, transportable buildings of metal, non-electric cables and wires of common metal, small items of metal hardware, locks and fittings, pipes, plus containers, safes and other goods made of metal. The Nice Classification sorts strictly by material here: the same product moves to a different class the moment it is not made of metal. Building materials made of wood or plastic belong in Class 19, furniture and many plastic goods in Class 20, electronic locks in Class 9.
Typical examples: Metal building materials, hardware, metal locks
New EUIPO registrations per year in Class 6
Most active applicants in Class 6
| # | Applicant | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abus August Bremicker Söhne Kg | 154 |
| 2 | Kohler Co | 152 |
| 3 | Kingspan Holdings (Irl) Limited | 148 |
| 4 | Aco Ahlmann Se & Co Kg | 142 |
| 5 | Union Des Associations Européennes De Football (Uefa) | 129 |
| 6 | Schüco International Kg | 126 |
| 7 | Tata Steel Uk Limited | 124 |
| 8 | Wieland-Werke Ag | 107 |
| 9 | Weinor Gmbh & Co Kg | 105 |
| 10 | Rittal Gmbh & Co Kg | 101 |
Word mark or figurative mark?
Often combined with
Think in product families rather than materials when filing Class 6: in practice it is most often combined with Class 9 (smart and electronic products), Class 20 (the same goods in wood or plastic) and Class 19 (non-metallic building materials). Ask yourself before filing whether your product will still be made of the same material in five years and whether a connected version is on the roadmap, because the list of goods and services cannot be extended later. And search the register first: Class 6 is home to established manufacturers such as Abus, Kohler, Kingspan and ACO, who actively maintain their trademark portfolios.
Common mistakes with Class 6
The most common mistake is underestimating the material logic: if you file your shelving system, boxes or fittings only in Class 6, you lose protection for the plastic or wooden version, which belongs in Class 20. Product lines change material more often than founders expect at filing time. Second mistake: forgetting the electronics. Smart locks, connected access systems and sensors fall under Class 9, while the purely mechanical lock sits in Class 6, and modern security products almost always need both. Third, the construction boundary: if you sell insulation or other non-metallic building materials alongside metal profiles, you need Class 19 as well.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belongs in Nice Class 6?
Class 6 covers common metals and alloys, metal building materials, transportable buildings of metal, locks, fittings, small items of hardware, pipes and metal containers. The material is what counts: if the same product is made of wood or plastic, it usually belongs in Class 20 or 19 instead.
Who files the most trademarks in Class 6?
According to EUIPO register data (as of July 2026), lock maker Abus leads with 154 trademarks, ahead of Kohler (152), Kingspan (148) and ACO (142), followed by UEFA with 129. The list says a lot: Class 6 is the class of industrial mid-sized champions, with one surprise guest from sports merchandising.
My product comes in metal and plastic versions, which class do I need?
Both. The Nice Classification sorts by material: the metal version belongs in Class 6, the plastic or wooden version usually in Class 20 depending on the product, and non-metallic building materials in Class 19. Filing only one class leaves the other product version unprotected.
Which classes are typically combined with Class 6?
Most often Class 9 for electronic and smart products, Class 20 for the same goods in other materials, and Class 19 for non-metallic building materials. A maker of mechanical and smart locks covers the typical gap with 6 plus 9.
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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