Trademark Class 15: A Complete Guide for Musical Instrument Brands in India

If you’re a business dealing with musical instruments or thinking to open a brand, then you need to know what Trademark Class 15 is. All applied-for trademarks in India are required to be necessarily filed under the NICE Classification, where in class15; the musical instruments and the accessories come under.

Trademark Class 15 according to the NICE classification (expires in India) comprises:

“Musical instruments, and parts and accessories thereof.”

This class includes a range of traditional and electronic musical instruments. So, if you make or sell or distribute musical gear, registering your brand in Class 15 will give you exclusive use over your brand name within this product category.

4 Based on the advisory issued by the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM), suitable classification is a guarantee of the right cover. When you file in the incorrect category, the application might be opposed or open to challenges of infringement.

Goods of Trademark Class 15 The following goods are listed under: Trademark Class 15 Musical instruments.

Traditional Musical Instruments

Guitars

Violins

Drums (tabla, dhol, etc.)

Sitars

Harmoniums

Flutes

Sarods

Veenas

Tambourines

Electronic Instruments & Accessories

Synthesizers

Electric guitars

Drum machines

MIDI controllers

Keyboards

(if embedded in the instrument) amplifiers

Pickups and bridges

Pedals and tuning devices

Accessories (specific to instruments)

Instrument cases

Rosin for violins

Guitar picks

Tuning forks

Strings and reeds

Instrument stands

What’s Not Included in Class 15

Please note that Class 15 does not include:

Music recordings (Class 9)

Music publishing services (Class 41)

Musical education services (Class 41)

The selling of musical instruments (G+S) (Class 35)

Register in other applicable classes if your business provides these services in addition to musical instrument sales.

In a global market full of music brands, your trademark is your essence and your property. Whether you shop is a boutique that opens with just such a wide range of products that more than diagrams brought to the customers who are not making love drawings.

Deter Copycats Your brand isn’t a knock off, neither should it look that way.

• Establishes credibility with both buyers and musicians
• Provides you exclusive rights in India
• Permits licensing, franchise or brand extension

For India: If you or your business is an India, this class 15 is significance even if you are selling the instruments via online marketplaces such as amazon, flipkart, or music stores as said before. It is a way to fight fakes and build long-term brand equity.

The registration of trademark in India passes through various processes. Now, let’s dissect the journey of Trademark Registration, but in particular, we will discuss everything related to Class 15:

Step 1: Trademark Search

Begin a Trademark Search Here on the IP India Public Search Tool.

Perform a search in Class 15 to see if a similar or the same mark is already registered. Use filters like:

• Wordmark Search: Just enter your name for your brand
• Phonesthemic Search: Look for similar sounding marks
• Search Vienna Code: For logo or device marks

If the mark is already registered in Class 15 under the name “SitarSoul,” and they are using “SitarSouls,” that doesn’t get users out of the woods. A short, memorable name makes for easy typing and registration.

Step 2: When to file the petition

File your trademark through the TM-A form with the CGPDTM. This can be applied online on the official website.

Details required:

• Owner’s Name & Address
• Class 15 wares specified (e.g., “Electric guitars, synthesizers, drum machines”)
• Trademark name/logo
• User date (if already in use)
• Power of attorney (where applying through an agent)

Fee Structure:

• ₹4,500 for individuals/startups
• ₹9,000 for companies (per class)

We’ll assign you an Application Number and you can get started with the ™ symbol right away.

Step 3: Examination Stage

Your application is reviewed by the Trademark Office. Within 30–90 days, they may:

Accept your mark

Report objections in an Examination Report

Otherwise assistance is raised and the process proceeds to the next stage. If there’s an objection, you’ll need to answer (more on that, later).

Step 4: The Joteurnal is Published

If your mark is approved, it is published in the Trademark  Journal. This gives the public a chance to object to the mark in 4 months.

If there is no objection filed, then you proceed to registration. If an opposition is made, it is set for hearing.

Step 5: Sign Up and Get Certified

Once the trademark is published and there are no objections allowed, you are given a Trademark Registration Certificate. Now you can use the ® legally.

Even after filing, your application can still receive a Trademark Objection from the examiner. Common reasons include:

It will be mentioned, by a few, that none of the words “Music,” “String,” or “Harmony” are particularly distinctive of a musical instrument.

Example:

• “Harmony Harmoniums” – could object on basis of being descriptive
• Similarity with Existing Marks

If such a mark is similar to an existing mark under Class 15, the examiner might refuse the application as an objection made under Section 11 (relative grounds).

Describing products too generally (like “musical stuff”) rather than specifically (like “string instruments, electric drums”) can lead to objections.

Filing in the incorrect class, such as filing services for teaching music under Class 15 instead of Class 41 may also lead to scrutiny.

You Received a Trademark Objection in Class 15? You must move quickly and with great care.

You will be required to file a Reply to Examination Report within 30 days of issuance.

• Legal arguments against the objection
• Differences from cited marks
• Proof of prior use (invoices, ads, website links)
• Amendments to descriptions (if needed)

• If the Registrar is satisfied, your mark proceeds to publication.
• If not, you may get a Show Cause Hearing.

Hiring a trademark expert or attorney is recommended at this stage for Class 15 objections.

Here’s a quick toolset to help you with Trademark Search:

Regular search before Trademark Registration prevents Trademark Objection and legal battles.