Which Nice Classification class are musical instruments in for a trademark application in India?

Musical instruments fall under Class 15, a standalone class of their own. Audio equipment like speakers and amplifiers falls under Class 9 instead, and music lessons or training fall under Class 41.

Which Nice Classification Class Are Musical Instruments In?

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Published 13 August 2026 · Updated 13 August 2026 · 1 min read

Musical instruments fall under Class 15, a dedicated class covering instruments of all kinds — string, wind, percussion, electronic keyboards, and their parts and accessories.

Why this is separate from audio equipment

It's a natural assumption that anything related to music and sound sits in one place, but the classification splits by function rather than by industry. Musical instruments themselves — guitars, tablas, harmoniums, keyboards — are Class 15. Audio equipment used to record, amplify, or play back sound, such as speakers, amplifiers, and microphones, falls under Class 9, the electronics and apparatus class, instead.

Why music education is classified differently again

A music school or an instructor offering lessons is providing a service, not selling a product, so that falls under Class 41, the education and training class — the same class covering coaching institutes generally. A brand that manufactures instruments and also runs a music academy under the same name would need both Class 15 and Class 41.

Try the Nice Classification Finder for a suggestion based on your specific product or service, or see the full Nice Classification guide for all 45 classes.