Merck trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2023
Video: how Merck extended its South African trademarks into new classes from 1970 to 2023 – from pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics & software into new fields. 30 of 45 classes, 784 trademarks. South African trademark statistics by Sibanda & Zantwijk.
Transcript
- Before 1970, Merck already used 5 classes, including class 1 chemicals, class 2 paints, class 3 cosmetics & cleaning, class 4 oils & fuels, class 5 pharmaceuticals.
- 1970: Merck moves into class 10 medical devices.
- 1976: Merck moves into class 9 electronics & software.
- 1980: Merck moves into class 16 paper & print; class 20 furniture; class 31 fresh produce & pet food.
- 1987: Merck moves into class 42 tech & IT services.
- 1998: Merck moves into class 37 construction & repair.
- 2001: Merck moves into class 29 meat, dairy & oils; class 30 coffee, flour & sweets; class 35 advertising & retail.
- 2002: Merck moves into class 17 rubber & plastics; class 39 transport & travel; class 41 education & entertainment; class 44 medical & beauty care.
- 2010: Merck moves into class 7 machines; class 11 lighting & appliances; class 40 processing materials.
- 2015: Merck moves into class 12 vehicles; class 19 building materials.
- 2016: Merck moves into class 32 beer & soft drinks.
- 2017: Merck moves into class 38 telecoms.
- 2018: Merck moves into class 36 finance & insurance.
- 2021: Merck moves into class 6 metal goods; class 21 kitchenware; class 45 legal & security.
- By 2023, Merck had trademarks in 30 of the 45 classes.