Musical Instruments

#Introduction

Trademark Class 15 under the NICE Classification system covers musical instruments and their parts and accessories.

If your business manufactures, sells, or repairs guitars, pianos, drums, violins, or other musical instruments, or produces instrument components or tuning devices, then your trademark should be registered under Class 15.

This class is crucial for companies in the music production, education, and performance industries.

#🧾 Detailed List of Goods Covered under Class 15

A. String Instruments

• Guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars

• Violins, violas, cellos, and double basses

• Sitars, tanpuras, veenas, and other Indian string instruments

• Ukuleles, mandolins, and banjos

• Harps, lyres, and lutes

• Strings for musical instruments (nylon, steel, gut)

• Guitar picks, capos, and bridges

• Pegs, tailpieces, and tuning keys

B. Keyboard & Percussion Instruments

• Pianos, grand pianos, and upright pianos

• Harmoniums, accordions, and organs

• Synthesizers (if primarily musical instruments, not computing devices)

• Drums, drum kits, and percussion instruments

• Tabla, mridangam, dholak, and congas

• Cymbals, tambourines, and xylophones

• Maracas, triangles, and castanets

C. Wind Instruments

• Flutes, clarinets, and oboes

• Saxophones and bassoons

• Trumpets, trombones, and tubas

• Harmonicas and mouth organs

• Bagpipes and recorders

• Shehnai and other ethnic wind instruments

D. Electronic and Hybrid Instruments

• Electric keyboards and digital pianos (for music performance)

• Electronic drums (hardware instruments, not software)

• MIDI controllers (hardware form)

• Samplers and musical tone generators (if used as instruments)

• Digital synthesizers (for musical production)

E. Traditional & Folk Instruments

• Dhol, dholak, tabla, shehnai, veena, sitar, bansuri, and sarangi

• Folk and cultural musical instruments from different regions

• Handcrafted instruments and indigenous musical goods

F. Parts, Fittings & Accessories

• Instrument cases and covers

• Music stands and sheet holders

• Drumsticks, mallets, and beaters

• Mutes for brass instruments

• Tuners and metronomes (non-digital)

• Cleaning and polishing kits for instruments

• Strings, reeds, and mouthpieces

• Straps, picks, and tuning pegs

• Pedals and sustain units (mechanical)

#🚫 What’s Not Included in Class 15

• Electronic music equipment like speakers or amplifiers → Class 09

• Music software and apps → Class 09

• Recorded music, CDs, or sound recordings → Class 09

• Educational services like music teaching → Class 41

• Musical furniture (e.g., piano benches) → Class 20

• Instrument repair services → Class 37

#💡 Practical Tips for Trademark Applicants

• Use broad wording such as:
  “Musical instruments; parts and fittings therefor.”

• If your product line includes digital and acoustic instruments, specify both (e.g., “acoustic and electronic guitars”).

• Register in Class 09 as well if your instruments have software integration or recording functions.

• Include accessories like cases, straps, stands, and tuners for comprehensive coverage.

• For traditional or ethnic instruments, mention the type explicitly (e.g., “Indian classical musical instruments”).

#🧠 Summary

Trademark Class 15 covers all musical instruments and accessories — from traditional and acoustic to modern electronic variants.
It protects trademarks for companies that manufacture, sell, or distribute instruments, parts, and related hardware.

If your business is part of the music industry, performance art, or sound craftsmanship, your brand must be registered under Class 15.

#❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is covered under Trademark Class 15?
All types of musical instruments, parts, and accessories, including strings, drums, and wind instruments.

Q2. Are electric guitars covered under this class?
Yes, electric and acoustic guitars both fall under Class 15.

Q3. Are electronic keyboards included?
Yes, as long as their main purpose is producing music, not computing.

Q4. Are music production software or apps part of this class?
No, they belong to Class 09 (software and digital goods).

Q5. Are musical instrument cases covered?
Yes, cases, covers, and stands for instruments are included.

Q6. Are Indian instruments like tabla and sitar part of Class 15?
Yes, all regional and traditional musical instruments are covered.

Q7. Are microphones or speakers part of this class?
No, those are electronic devices under Class 09.