Trademark Class 9: Electronics, Software, and Scientific Devices

Understanding Class 9 Goods for Trademark Protection

Updated April 2025

What Is Trademark Class 9?

Trademark Class 9 covers a wide range of technology-related products, including computers, downloadable software, electronics, audio/visual devices, scientific instruments, and safety equipment. Whether you're launching a mobile app, manufacturing wearables, or selling security systems, your goods may fall under this trademark category.

Common Products in Class 9

Class 9 includes a wide scope of modern electronics and scientific tools. Here are examples of goods typically filed under this class:

• Consumer Technology: Computers, laptops, tablets, wearable tech, USB drives, and downloadable mobile apps

• Telecommunications & Audio Equipment: Mobile phones, radio transmitters, headphones, microphones, and speakers

• Media & Entertainment: Video cameras, projectors, DVD players, animation recordings, and downloadable music

• Software & Applications: Operating systems, recorded programs, computer games, and downloadable databases

• Scientific & Measuring Instruments: Microscopes, telescopes, diagnostic devices (non-medical), and sensors

• Safety Devices: Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, life vests, and personal protective gear

• Navigation & Tracking Tools: GPS systems, compasses, radar equipment, and marine navigation instruments

• Electrical Components: Batteries, circuit boards, transformers, fuses, and solar cells

• Optical & Photographic Tools: Cameras, lenses, viewfinders, photographic flashbulbs, and filters

• Protective Eyewear: Sunglasses, goggles, anti-glare glasses, and contact lenses

This class is often used by startups, app developers, electronics manufacturers, and scientific product designers who want legal protection for their innovations.

Goods Not Covered by Class 9

Even if your product uses electricity, it may not belong in Class 9. Here are examples of items that fall into other trademark classes:

• Electric kitchen appliances (Class 7 – Machinery)

• Hair dryers and electric toothbrushes (Class 11 – Environmental Control)

• Electric razors and clippers (Class 8 – Hand Tools)

• Watches and timekeeping devices (Class 14 – Jewelry)

• Video game controllers or consoles (Class 28 – Toys)

Be sure to classify your goods correctly—mistakes in trademark class selection can delay registration or result in rejection.

Related Trademark Classes to Consider

If you're unsure whether Class 9 fully covers your offering, you might want to explore these related classes:

• Class 10 – Medical devices

• Class 28 – Toys and sporting goods (especially if your device is for gaming)

• Class 35 – Business services (such as software for business operations)

• Class 42 – Technology and scientific services (e.g., SaaS platforms or web hosting)

The USPTO allows multi-class filings, so you can include multiple classes in your application if your business spans more than one category.

Examples of Trademark Class 9 Brands

Several major tech brands have filed trademarks under Class 9, including:

• APPLE – smartphones, computers, and downloadable software

• CANON – cameras, copiers, and photography equipment

• GARMIN – GPS and wearable navigation devices

These examples illustrate how broad the class can be—from physical hardware to digital applications.

Filing Your Trademark: What to Know

When applying for a trademark under Class 9, you'll need to pay a fee per class (see USPTO fee schedule). If you’re registering multiple types of goods (say, headphones and downloadable software), each requires its own class if they don’t fit under the same one.

You'll also need to submit a specimen—a real-world example of how your trademark is being used in commerce. For Class 9 goods, acceptable specimens include:

• A screenshot of a website showing your software available for download

• A photo of product packaging with your trademark visible

• A label, tag, or direct imprint of the trademark on the product

Pro tip: If your specimen only shows the mark in a return address or somewhere incidental, it may be rejected.

Need Help Filing Under Class 9?

Trademark classification can be trickier than it looks—especially when software and electronics are involved. A mistake in classification could lead to re-filing fees or legal hurdles down the line.

Want to protect your brand the right way? 📞 Schedule a free consultation with Rotek Law today. We help entrepreneurs and growing businesses secure their trademarks under the correct class the first time around.