Coca-Cola trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2025
Video: how Coca-Cola extended its South African trademarks into new classes from 1970 to 2025 – from beer & soft drinks, education & entertainment, coffee, flour & sweets into new fields. 44 of 45 classes, 970 trademarks. South African trademark statistics by Sibanda & Zantwijk.
Transcript
- Before 1970, Coca-Cola already used 13 classes, including class 32 beer & soft drinks, class 1 chemicals, class 2 paints, class 3 cosmetics & cleaning, class 5 pharmaceuticals.
- 1972: Coca-Cola moves into class 35 advertising & retail; class 42 tech & IT services.
- 1973: Coca-Cola moves into class 25 clothing.
- 1982: Coca-Cola moves into class 9 electronics & software.
- 1983: Coca-Cola moves into class 16 paper & print.
- 1984: Coca-Cola moves into class 18 leather & bags; class 24 textiles.
- 1986: Coca-Cola moves into class 4 oils & fuels; class 6 metal goods; class 7 machines; class 8 hand tools; class 10 medical devices; class 11 lighting & appliances; class 12 vehicles; class 13 firearms & fireworks; class 14 jewellery & watches; class 15 musical instruments; class 17 rubber & plastics; class 19 building materials; class 22 ropes & tents; class 23 yarns; class 26 haberdashery; class 27 carpets; class 36 finance & insurance; class 37 construction & repair; class 38 telecoms; class 39 transport & travel; class 40 processing materials; class 41 education & entertainment.
- 2005: Coca-Cola moves into class 43 restaurants & hotels.
- 2007: Coca-Cola moves into class 44 medical & beauty care.
- By 2025, Coca-Cola had trademarks in 44 of the 45 classes.