Trademark Class 12: A Detailed Guide for Automotive and Transportation Goods

Trademarks are essential to ensuring that businesses protect their intellectual property, create a distinctive identity, and maintain trust with their consumers. The Nice Classification System organizes trademarks into 45 classes to categorize various goods and services. One of the most significant categories in this system is Trademark Class 12, which covers products related to vehicles and transportation.

If your business operates in the automotive, transportation, or related industries, understanding Trademark Class 12 is crucial. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about Class 12, including the types of goods it covers, the importance of trademark registration, how to apply, and common mistakes to avoid.

Trademark Class 12 is dedicated to vehicles and all kinds of transportation equipment. This class includes goods related to motor vehicles, parts, and accessories, as well as products used for the movement of people and goods. Whether you manufacture cars, bicycles, boats, airplanes, or any components used in these vehicles, your products likely fall under this category.

Class 12 protects the distinctive features of these transportation-related goods, helping your brand stand out in an industry that’s characterized by fierce competition, technological innovation, and a strong focus on quality and safety

By registering your trademark under Class 12, you are protecting your business’s brand identity in a highly competitive market. Vehicles and transportation-related products are often subject to significant market demand, which makes it critical for businesses in this industry to safeguard their intellectual property.

Trademark protection allows you to:

• Prevent counterfeit products from entering the market.
• Distinguish your brand from competitors.
• Build consumer trust in the quality and reliability of your products.
• Gain legal protection in case of disputes or infringements.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the various goods that fall under Trademark Class 12

Trademark Class 12 includes a vast range of products that are vital for transportation and movement. Below, we will explore each category in detail.

The heart of Class 12 is motor vehicles, which encompasses a variety of land-based transportation goods. Examples include:

• Cars: Passenger cars, electric vehicles, hybrid cars, etc.
• Motorcycles and Bicycles: Motorbikes, electric scooters, and traditional bicycles.
• Trucks and Buses: Heavy-duty trucks, delivery vans, buses, and other large vehicles used for transporting goods and passengers.

In addition to whole vehicles, Class 12 also covers:

• Vehicle Parts: Including engine components, tires, wheels, axles, and brakes.
• Car Accessories: Items such as seat covers, car mats, air fresheners, and roof racks.
• Vehicle Spare Parts: Including critical parts like spark plugs, fuel filters, and radiators.

Since the automotive industry is fast-moving and constantly evolving, trademarking your vehicle models and components ensures that your products are uniquely identified in a crowded marketplace.

Air transportation is another key sector covered by Class 12. This includes:

• Aircraft: Commercial airplanes, private jets, cargo planes, etc.
• Aircraft Parts: Wings, turbines, landing gears, engines, propellers, and avionics.

Given the highly regulated nature of the aviation industry and the importance of safety, a trademark for your aircraft and their parts helps build credibility and trust with consumers and regulatory bodies.

Class 12 also protects products related to water transportation, including:

• Boats and Yachts: Motorboats, sailboats, and luxury yachts.
• Ship Parts: Propellers, steering systems, rudders, and other critical components.
• Watercraft Accessories: Life vests, ropes, anchors, and waterproofing products.

These goods are typically used for leisure, transportation, and even industrial applications (e.g., cargo ships), and therefore need trademark protection to prevent misuse of branding and identity.

While trains are not as widely used in some regions, they still play a significant role in transportation across the globe. Under Class 12, the following goods are covered:

• Locomotives: Engines that pull trains along tracks.
• Railcars: Passenger carriages, freight cars, and tank cars used for transporting goods.
• Railway Parts: Tracks, switches, railcars, and braking systems.

By securing a trademark in this category, manufacturers of rail transport goods can differentiate their products from competitors and protect their intellectual property in a niche market.

LIST

• adhesive rubber patches for repairing inner tubes
• aeronautical apparatus, machines and appliances
• aeroplanes
• air vehicles
• air pumps [vehicle accessories]
• air cushion vehicles
• air bags [safety devices for automobiles]
• aircraft
• ambulances
• amphibious airplanes
• anti-dazzle devices for vehicles* / anti-glare devices for vehicles*
• anti-skid chains
• anti-theft devices for vehicles
• anti-theft alarms for vehicles
• armoured vehicles / armored vehicles
• audible warning systems for cycles
• automobile hoods
• automobile chains
• automobile chassis
• automobile tires [tyres]
• automobile bodies
• axle journals
• axles for vehicles
• balance weights for vehicle wheels
• bands for wheel hubs
• barges
• baskets adapted for cycles
• bicycle stands / stands for bicycles, cycles [parts of bicycles, cycles]
• bicycle tires [tyres] / cycle tires [tyres] / tires for bicycles, cycles / tyres for bicycles, cycles
• bicycle saddles / cycle saddles
• bicycle bells
• bicycles / cycles
• boat hooks
• boats
• bodies for vehicles
• bogies for railway cars
• brake linings for vehicles
• brake shoes for vehicles
• brake segments for vehicles
• brake pads for automobiles
• brake discs for vehicles
• brakes for bicycles, cycles / bicycle brakes / cycle brakes
• brakes for vehicles
• buffers for railway rolling stock
• bumpers for automobiles
• cable transport apparatus and installations
• caissons [vehicles]
• camping cars / motor homes
• caps for vehicle petrol [gas] tanks
• caravans
• carriages [railways]
• cars for cable transport installations
• carts
• casings for pneumatic tires [tyres]
• casters for trolleys [vehicles] [carts (Am.)]
• casting carriages / casting cars / ladle carriages / ladle cars
• chains for bicycles, cycles / bicycle chains / cycle chains
• chairlifts
• cigar lighters for automobiles
• hydraulic circuits for vehicles
• cleaning trolleys
• cleats [nautical]
• clutches for land vehicles
• concrete mixing vehicles
• connecting rods for land vehicles, other than parts of motors and engines
• couplings for land vehicles
• covers for baby carriages / fitted perambulator covers / pushchair covers / stroller covers [pushchairs]
• covers for vehicle steering wheels
• crankcases for land vehicle components, other than for engines
• cranks for cycles
• cycle mudguards
• cycle hubs
• cycle stands
• cycle cars
• cycle bells
• davits for boats
• delivery tricycles / carrier tricycles
• dining cars
• dining cars [carriages] / dinner wagons [carriages]
• direction indicators for bicycles
• direction signals for vehicles / turn signals for vehicles
• dirigible balloons [airships] / airships / dirigible balloons
• disengaging gear for boats
• doors for vehicles
• dredgers [boats]
• dress guards for bicycles, cycles
• driving motors for land vehicles
• driving chains for land vehicles
• ejector seats for aircraft
• engine mounts for land vehicles
• engines for land vehicles / motors for land vehicles
• fenders for ships
• ferry boats
• flanges for railway wheel tires [tyres] / flanges of railway wheel tires [tyres] / flanges of railway wheel tires / flanges of railway wheel tyres
• frames for bicycles, cycles / bicycle frames / cycle frames
• freewheels for land vehicles
• funiculars
• funnels for ships
• funnels for locomotives
• gear boxes for land vehicles
• gearing for land vehicles
• gears for cycles
• golf carts [vehicles] / golf cars [vehicles]
• handle bars for bicycles, cycles / bicycle handle bars / cycle handle bars
• handling carts
• head-rests for vehicle seats
• headlight wipers
• hoods for vehicle engines
• hoods for vehicles
• horns for vehicles
• hose carts
• hot air balloons
• hub caps
• hubs for vehicle wheels / vehicle wheel hubs
• hydroplanes
• inclined ways for boats
• jet engines for land vehicles
• kick sledges
• launches
• lifting cars [lift cars] / fork lift trucks
• locomotives
• lorries / trucks
• luggage carriers for vehicles
• luggage nets for vehicles
• masts for boats
• military vehicles for transport
• mine cart wheels
• mopeds
• motor buses
• motor coaches
• motor cars / automobiles / cars
• motorcycles
• motors for cycles
• motors, electric, for land vehicles
• mudguards
• non-skid devices for vehicle tires [tyres] / non-skid devices for vehicle tires / non-skid devices for vehicle tyres
• oars
• omnibuses
• paddles for canoes
• panniers adapted for cycles
• parachutes
• pedals for cycles
• pontoons
• portholes
• propulsion mechanisms for land vehicles
• pumps for bicycles, cycles / bicycle pumps / cycle pumps
• pushchair hoods / hoods for baby carriages
• pushchairs / baby carriages / prams [baby carriages] / strollers
• railway couplings
• rearview mirrors
• reduction gears for land vehicles
• refrigerated vehicles
• refrigerated waggons [railroad vehicles] / refrigerated wagons [railroad vehicles]
• remote control vehicles, other than toys
• repair outfits for inner tubes
• reversing alarms for vehicles
• rims for wheels of bicycles, cycles / bicycle rims / cycle rims
• rims for vehicle wheels / vehicle wheel rims
• rolling stock for funicular railways
• rolling stock for railways
• rowlocks / oarlocks
• rudders
• saddle covers for bicycles or motorcycles
• saddlebags adapted for bicycles
• saddles for bicycles, cycles or motorcycles
• safety belts for vehicle seats
• safety seats for children, for vehicles
• scooters [vehicles]
• screw-propellers for boats
• screw-propellers
• screws [propellers] for ships
• sculls / stern oars
• seaplanes
• seat covers for vehicles
• security harness for vehicle seats
• ships
• ships’ hulls
• shock absorbing springs for vehicles
• shock absorbers for automobiles
• shopping trolleys [carts (Am.)]
• side cars
• ski carriers for cars
• ski lifts
• sleeping berths for vehicles
• sleeping cars
• sleighs [vehicles]
• snowmobiles
• space vehicles
• spare wheel covers / spare tire covers / spare tyre covers
• spars for ships
• spikes for tires [tyres] / studs for tires [tyres]
• spoilers for vehicles
• spoke clips for wheels
• spokes for bicycles, cycles / bicycle spokes / cycle spokes
• sports cars
• sprinkling trucks
• steering gears for ships / ships’ steering gears
• steering wheels for vehicles
• sun-blinds adapted for automobiles
• suspension shock absorbers for vehicles
• tailboard lifts [parts of land vehicles] / elevating tailgates (Am.) [parts of land vehicles] / power tailgates (Am.) [parts of land vehicles]
• telpher railways [cable cars] / cable cars
• tilt trucks
• tilting-carts
• timbers [frames] for ships
• tipping bodies for lorries [trucks]
• tipping apparatus, parts of trucks and waggons
• pneumatic tires [tyres] / tires, solid, for vehicle wheels / tyres, solid, for vehicle wheels
• torque converters for land vehicles
• torsion bars for vehicles
• traction engines
• tractors
• trailer hitches for vehicles
• trailers [vehicles]
• tramcars
• transmission chains for land vehicles
• transmission shafts for land vehicles
• transmissions, for land vehicles
• treads for vehicles [tractor type] / treads for vehicles [roller belts]
• treads for retreading tires [tyres]
• tricycles
• trolleys* / hand cars
• tubeless tires [tyres] for bicycles, cycles
• inner tubes for pneumatic tires [tyres]
• inner tubes for bicycles, cycles
• turbines for land vehicles
• two-wheeled trolleys / luggage trucks / sack-barrows
• tyres for vehicle wheels / tires for vehicle wheels
• undercarriages for vehicles
• upholstery for vehicles
• valves for vehicle tires [tyres]
• vans [vehicles]
• vehicle wheels
• vehicle chassis
• vehicle bumpers
• vehicle running boards
• vehicle wheel tires [tyres]
• vehicle wheel spokes
• vehicle suspension springs
• vehicle seats
• vehicle covers [shaped]
• electric vehicles
• vehicles for locomotion by land, air, water or rail
• waggons
• water vehicles
• wheelbarrows
• wheelchairs
• wheels for bicycles, cycles
• windows for vehicles
• windscreens / windshields
• windshield wipers / windscreen wipers
• yachts

Class 12 products are often highly sought after and subject to counterfeiting. A registered trademark prevents other manufacturers from copying your logo, name, or product design, protecting your intellectual property. It also ensures that consumers are not misled into buying inferior or unsafe products that could damage your brand reputation.

With the sheer number of vehicle options available today — from cars to boats and planes — a trademark helps build brand recognition. It assures consumers that the products they purchase come from a trusted source and meet certain quality standards. Whether it’s a car accessory or an airplane engine, trademarking ensures that your brand stands out.

The transportation sector is a global market. Many businesses that manufacture or sell transportation goods aim to expand internationally. With a trademark registered under Class 12, you can extend your protection to other countries, ensuring that your brand and products remain safe from copycats abroad.

Applying for a trademark in Class 12 involves several steps. The process is generally similar to other classes, but because of the complexity and variety of goods involved, it’s crucial to provide clear descriptions and accurate details about your product. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Before applying for a trademark, it’s essential to search existing trademarks to ensure that there are no similar trademarks already registered. This helps you avoid rejection or potential legal disputes later. You can search trademark databases provided by the intellectual property office in your jurisdiction

To file your trademark application for goods under Class 12, you’ll need to provide:

• A representation of your trademark (logo, word mark, or design).
• A description of the goods that fall under Class 12 (e.g., “motor vehicles and parts, including trucks, tires, and engine components”).
• Your contact details and business information.

Make sure to be specific about the goods you are offering, as the description must align with the exact items covered by Class 12.

Once the application is ready, you can submit it online or physically to the relevant intellectual property office. Online submission is more common and typically faster.

The trademark office will examine your application to ensure that it meets all legal requirements. They may request additional information or clarification about your product descriptions. If everything is in order, the office will move your application to the next stage.

After the application is reviewed, it will be published in the official trademark gazette. This allows other businesses or individuals to object if they believe your trademark conflicts with their own. If no one opposes your trademark within the specified period, it will proceed to registration.