What Is Nice Class 15?
Nice Class 15 is the trademark classification for musical instruments. It covers instruments of all kinds — string, wind, percussion, and keyboard — along with their parts, fittings, stands, cases, and certain accessories. It is one of the smaller and more focused classes in the Nice system, dedicated to the instruments themselves rather than the broader world of music technology and services that surrounds them.
The boundaries that matter most are with Class 9 and Class 41. Purely electronic and digital audio equipment — amplifiers, synthesizers in some cases, and audio gear — leans toward Class 9, while music education, performance, and entertainment services are Class 41. Class 15 sits between them, covering the physical instrument.
What Class 15 Covers
- String instruments: guitars, violins, cellos, and basses
- Keyboard instruments: pianos and acoustic keyboards
- Wind instruments: trumpets, saxophones, flutes, and clarinets
- Percussion instruments: drums, cymbals, and mallets
- Parts and fittings for instruments: strings, reeds, bows, and pegs
- Instrument stands, cases, and certain accessories
- Tuning devices and instrument-specific tools
Exclusions: electronic audio equipment like amplifiers, mixers, and many digital devices leans to Class 9; music recordings and downloadable music are Class 9; music education and live performance are Class 41; and sheet music in printed form is Class 16. A music brand can span the instrument (Class 15), the electronics (Class 9), and the services (Class 41).
Boundary note: An electric guitar is largely Class 15 as a musical instrument, but the amplifier it plugs into leans toward Class 9 as audio electronics. Brands selling both instruments and amps often file across both classes.
Protecting Iconic Instrument Shapes
Class 15 is a strong arena for trade dress. Some of the most recognizable product shapes in any industry are instrument bodies — the silhouette of a Fender Stratocaster, the form of a Gibson Les Paul, the outline of a grand piano. Where such a shape is non-functional and has acquired distinctiveness, it can be protected as trade dress beyond the brand name. These shape disputes have produced notable cases in the guitar world, where body contours are central to brand identity. Our guide to trade dress protection explains how this works.
Pairing Class 15 With Other Classes
- Class 15 + Class 9: for brands selling instruments alongside amplifiers, electronics, or digital gear. See our Class 9 guide.
- Class 15 + Class 41: for instrument makers that also offer music education or events. The artist side is covered in our music band trademark guide.
- Class 15 + Class 35: for the retail and e-commerce side of an instrument brand.
Notable Brands in Class 15
- Fender — guitars and basses, with iconic body shapes asserted as trade dress
- Gibson — the Les Paul and other recognizable guitar designs
- Steinway & Sons — pianos, a heritage instrument brand
- Yamaha — a broad instrument range spanning Class 15 and audio electronics
Common Filing Mistakes
- Filing amplifiers in Class 15: audio electronics lean to Class 9.
- Filing music services in Class 15: education and performance are Class 41.
- Overlooking shape protection: a distinctive instrument body may warrant trade dress.
- Filing sheet music in Class 15: printed sheet music is Class 16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric guitar in Class 15 or Class 9?
The electric guitar as a musical instrument is largely Class 15. The amplifier and purely electronic audio equipment lean toward Class 9. Brands selling both instruments and electronics often file across both classes to cover the full product range.
Can I trademark the shape of my guitar or instrument?
Potentially, through trade dress, if the shape is non-functional and has acquired distinctiveness. Iconic guitar body shapes have been the subject of notable trade-dress disputes. The brand name is registered in Class 15, while a distinctive instrument shape may warrant additional trade-dress protection.
What class are music lessons or performances in?
Music education, lessons, and live performance are services in Class 41, not Class 15. Class 15 covers the physical instruments. A brand that both makes instruments and offers music education would file in both Class 15 and Class 41.
Where does sheet music go?
Printed sheet music is in Class 16 as printed matter. Downloadable or digital music files are Class 9. Class 15 is reserved for the instruments themselves, so a music business spanning instruments, printed scores, and digital content may touch several classes.
Search Class 15 Before You File
Instrument brand names cluster within a focused industry, and shape claims add a second clearance front. Use tmarkmetric to browse registered Class 15 trademarks, see which names are taken, and search the broader registry before you commit to a brand or model lineup.