USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 28 – Toys, Sporting Goods, and Games

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we break down each trademark class to help businesses categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 28, which includes toys, games, sporting goods, and fitness equipment. If your business manufactures, sells, or distributes products in these categories, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my toy brand?” or “Does my product fall under Class 28?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 28?

Trademark Class 28 covers recreational goods, including toys, games, and sports equipment. This class applies to entertainment products for children and adults, fitness equipment, and outdoor activity gear.

Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 28 include:

• Toys and Dolls: Action figures, stuffed animals, board games, building blocks

• Video Game Accessories: Controllers, gaming peripherals, VR headsets (hardware only)

• Sporting Goods and Fitness Equipment: Dumbbells, treadmills, yoga mats, baseball gloves

• Outdoor and Recreational Equipment: Fishing rods, bicycles, skateboards, camping gear

• Games and Puzzles: Card games, chess sets, jigsaw puzzles, dice games

• Holiday Decorations and Party Supplies: Artificial Christmas trees, balloons, piñatas

If your product is designed for recreation, physical activity, or entertainment, Trademark Class 28 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 28 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 28 helps protect your brand in the toy, game, and sporting goods industries. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – Many toy and sports brands have similar names. A trademark ensures your brand is unique and legally protected.

2. Protects against counterfeiting – The toy and gaming industry is frequently targeted by counterfeiters. A registered trademark helps prevent unauthorized sellers from using your name.

3. Strengthens brand reputation and consumer trust – Customers associate toys and sports gear with quality and safety. A trademark reinforces your brand’s credibility.

4. Supports business growth and licensing opportunities – If you plan to expand into other forms of entertainment or fitness markets, a trademark in Class 28 provides comprehensive brand protection.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 28

Many well-known toy, gaming, and sports equipment brands have trademarks registered under Class 28. Here are a few examples:

1. LEGO® – Protects its brand for building block toys and board games.

2. Mattel® – Covers toys, dolls, and action figures.

3. Hasbro® – Registers trademarks for board games, toy figurines, and puzzles.

These companies rely on trademark protection to preserve their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of their names and designs.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 28?

A comprehensive trademark search is highly recommended before applying in Class 28. The toy, gaming, and fitness industries have many overlapping brand names, making conflicts common.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:

• USPTO Database Search – Identifying similar trademarks that could cause conflicts.

• Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.

• Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.

How to Determine if Class 28 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 28 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:

1. Is your product a toy, game, or sports accessory?

   • If it’s a doll, skateboard, board game, or gym equipment, Class 28 is likely appropriate.

2. Is your product designed for recreational or fitness use?

   • Exercise machines, fishing rods, and team sports gear belong in Class 28.

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Some toy, gaming, and fitness-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:

     • Video game software may need Class 9 (Electronics & Software).

     • Smart fitness devices (e.g., wearables, connected gym equipment) could belong in Class 9 (Electronics & Scientific Devices).

     • Retail toy stores and sporting goods shops might require Class 35 (Retail & Business Services).

If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for toy companies, game manufacturers, and fitness brands.

Whether you’re launching a new board game, protecting a sports equipment brand, or expanding into international markets, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Here’s how we assist with Class 28 trademark registrations:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 28 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 28, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 28: Toys, Sporting Goods, and Games with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 29: Meats and Processed Foods, where we’ll discuss trademarks for dairy products, frozen foods, and packaged snacks.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!