Monster Energy – South African trademarks
Updated 8 November 2026
Monster Energy is an American energy drink company, known for its Monster Energy drinks and its sponsorship of motorsport and action sports.
How Monster Energy has built and protected its brands in South Africa – its trademark portfolio, where it expanded, how quickly its marks are registered, and who it competes with.
Download report (PDF)Monster Energy trademarks in 45 seconds
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/monster-energy-south-african-trademarks/overview-video.html
A portfolio built over time
Monster Energy filed its first South African trademark in 2012 and has filed 272 since; its busiest year was 2018, with 44 new filings. The chart shows its filings per year from 1970.
Trademarks by filing year, up to 2024; applications still pending are not included.
The names behind the portfolio
Over the years the group has filed under several names – earlier company names, holding companies and subsidiaries. We count them together.
| Name | Marks | Filing years |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Energy | 306 | 2004–2024 |
Where Monster Energy expanded its business
Trademark classes show what a business sells. Monster Energy's portfolio is concentrated in beer & soft drinks (class 32), pharmaceuticals (class 5), coffee, flour & sweets (class 30). Its most recent moves were into tech & it services (2022), lighting & appliances (2021), kitchenware (2021).
Monster Energy trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2024
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/monster-energy-south-african-trademarks/class-expansion-video.html
Each tile is a class; it lights up when the group first files in it and darkens with more filings; the dots show how many of its closest rivals also file in that class. The chart compares the number of classes used with its rivals. The video runs from 1970; classes entered earlier are lit from the start.
| Class | Marks | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 Beer & soft drinks | 160 | 58.8% | 2012 |
| 5 Pharmaceuticals | 41 | 15.1% | 2012 |
| 30 Coffee, flour & sweets | 14 | 5.1% | 2012 |
| 41 Education & entertainment | 11 | 4.0% | 2015 |
| 33 Wines & spirits | 9 | 3.3% | 2020 |
| 35 Advertising & retail | 7 | 2.6% | 2015 |
| 12 Vehicles | 6 | 2.2% | 2018 |
| 9 Electronics & software | 4 | 1.5% | 2018 |
The brands Monster Energy protects most
The word marks and logo names Monster Energy has filed most often – the same brand filed in more classes, in more versions or again over the years.
| # | Brand | Trademarks | Classes | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MONSTER ENERGY | 11 | 7 | 2015–2022 |
| 2 | PREDATOR ENERGY | 8 | 7 | 2019–2021 |
| 3 | MONSTER | 5 | 5 | 2018–2022 |
| 4 | UNLEASH THE ULTRA BEAST! | 5 | 2 | 2013–2020 |
| 5 | M MONSTER ENERGY | 4 | 4 | 2012–2022 |
| 6 | MONSTER ARMY | 4 | 2 | 2016–2016 |
| 7 | THE BEAST UNLEASHED | 4 | 2 | 2022–2023 |
| 8 | GREEN BEANS | 3 | 3 | 2012–2012 |
| 9 | MONSTER DETOX | 3 | 3 | 2012–2012 |
| 10 | MONSTER ENERGY ZERO ULTRA | 3 | 3 | 2014–2014 |
| 11 | MONSTER REHAB TEA + ENERGY | 3 | 3 | 2012–2012 |
| 12 | MONSTER REHABITUATE | 3 | 3 | 2012–2012 |
| 13 | MONSTER THRILLER | 3 | 3 | 2013–2013 |
| 14 | MR. GREEN BEANS | 3 | 3 | 2013–2013 |
| 15 | REHABITUATE | 3 | 3 | 2012–2012 |
Logos filed most often (since 2020)
Monster Energy's logos
The 15 different logos Monster Energy has had published since 2020 – each logo shown once, however many classes or versions it was filed in. Logos protected in more classes come first.
How quickly its trademarks are registered
Over the last five years, Monster Energy's marks took a median of 3.1 years from filing to registration, slower than the market's 2.7 years. Most of that time is examination: 2.3 years from filing to acceptance (market: 1.9). Registration itself follows about half a year after acceptance.
Median years from filing to registration per registration year, split into examination (filing → acceptance) and acceptance → registration; the dashed line is the market median. A high recent value means older applications came through that year.
Who files the most in Monster Energy's classes
Ranked by number of trademarks filed in Monster Energy's main classes – any company that files there, whatever else it does (including retailers' own brands). This shows Monster Energy's market position, not who is most like it.
In the last five years, Monster Energy was #1 of 905 filers in class 32 (beer & soft drinks), with 58 of 1,804 trademarks; #228 of 1,368 filers in class 30 (coffee, flour & sweets), with 3 of 3,209 trademarks.
Monster Energy's share of all trademarks filed in each of its main classes, per filing year.
Top trademark filers in class 32 (beer & soft drinks), South Africa 1975–2024: Monster Energy
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/monster-energy-south-african-trademarks/class-32-race-video.html
Main competitors – the companies most like Monster Energy
Ranked by how similar their whole trademark portfolio is to Monster Energy's – the same mix of classes and the same words in their marks – not by size. Large filers in its classes that do something different rank lower here.
Monster Energy's closest competitors in South Africa are Tiger Brands, Dynamic Brands Manufacturing, Clover and Coca-Cola.
Monster Energy trademarks vs competitors: filings per year, 2010–2024
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/monster-energy-south-african-trademarks/competitors-video.html
Trademark filings per year: Monster Energy (orange) and its five closest competitors.
| # | Company | Relationship | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger Brands | Direct competitor | 88% |
| 2 | Dynamic Brands Manufacturing | Direct competitor | 79% |
| 3 | Clover | Direct competitor | 79% |
| 4 | Coca-Cola | Direct competitor | 74% |
| 5 | Pioneer Foods | Direct competitor | 72% |
| 6 | Danone | Direct competitor | 72% |
| 7 | Energy Beverages | Direct competitor | 72% |
| 8 | Starbucks | 75% | |
| 9 | Premier FMCG | 75% | |
| 10 | Shoprite | Retailer's own brands | 91% |
Similarity of trademark activity since 2015 (classes and words used in marks). Retailers appear where their own brands compete on the shelf.
Monster Energy – relevant export countries
South Africa exported US$18.7 billion of the goods Monster Energy's main classes cover in the last year – alcoholic beverages; energy drinks; beer; syrups (class 32); nutritional supplements; herbal; vitamin fortified beverages (class 5); coffee; bread; spices; honey (class 30); alcoholic beverages; beer; flavored brewed malt beverage; hard seltzer (class 33); automobiles; wheels; parts; accessories (class 12). Combining where these goods are exported, imported, growing and made (and copied), and what protection costs, these are the markets where Monster Energy's trademarks matter most.
Adjust the weightings
These weightings decide how the countries below are ranked. Change any value and the others adjust to keep the total at 100%.
Worldwide
| # | Market | Score | SA exports | Import growth / yr | Route | Cost, 5 classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | European Union | 82 | US$8.1 billion | +5% | National | US$2,388 |
| 2 | United States of America | 72 | US$1.7 billion | +5% | National | US$3,425 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 71 | US$1.9 billion | +6% | National | US$1,371 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 62 | US$207 m | +15% | National | US$1,660 |
| 5 | Canada | 62 | US$119 m | +3% | National | US$2,192 |
| 6 | Australia | 60 | US$521 m | +4% | National | US$2,380 |
| 7 | Russian Federation | 58 | US$3.2 m | +22% | National | US$1,915 |
| 8 | Taiwan, Province of China | 55 | US$128 m | +2% | National | US$2,146 |
| 9 | Ukraine | 55 | US$34 m | +32% | National | US$1,375 |
| 10 | Hong Kong SAR | 53 | US$9.1 m | +0% | National | US$1,715 |
Africa
| # | Market | Score | SA exports | Import growth / yr | Route | Cost, 5 classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 53 | US$73 m | -5% | National | US$1,015 S&Z |
| 2 | Malawi | 53 | US$105 m | +31% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 3 | Tanzania | 53 | US$118 m | +8% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 4 | Egypt | 52 | US$91 m | +8% | National | US$2,278 |
| 5 | Namibia | 52 | US$726 m | +16% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 6 | OAPI (17 states) | 52 | US$128 m | +5% | National | US$1,563 S&Z |
| 7 | Lesotho | 51 | US$170 m | +13% | National | US$326 |
| 8 | Zimbabwe | 51 | US$449 m | +7% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 9 | Eswatini | 50 | US$217 m | +0% | National | US$446 |
| 10 | Algeria | 50 | US$9.9 m | +33% | National | US$1,445 |
SA exports = South Africa's exports of these goods to the market in the last year. Ranked with the default weightings. Score 0–100 from South Africa's exports of the goods to the market, net imports, import growth, foreign trademark filings, where the goods are made, market size and the cost of protection. Costs are total fees (official and professional) to file in 5 classes; ARIPO costs are per country, plus US$301 once per ARIPO application; S&Z = S&Z's own all-in price. Goods are taken from the classes and specifications, so the ranking is indicative.
Trade data: CEPII BACI (version 202601, trade flows 2022–2024), Licence Etalab 2.0; aggregated and combined with other data by S&Z.
Protecting its top brands in Nigeria and OAPI with S&Z
| Brand | Classes | Nigeria | OAPI (17 states) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONSTER ENERGY | 7 | US$1,421 | US$1,932 |
| PREDATOR ENERGY | 7 | US$1,421 | US$1,932 |
| MONSTER | 5 | US$1,015 | US$1,563 |
| UNLEASH THE ULTRA BEAST! | 2 | US$406 | US$1,009 |
| M MONSTER ENERGY | 4 | US$812 | US$1,378 |
S&Z all-in prices per brand in its number of classes, filing to registration.
TM Country Selection Rank the countries for your own goods and get the quotes.
Word marks you may have considered opposing
For Monster Energy's five most-filed brands: word marks of other companies (not Monster Energy's own group) that our similar word mark search, SimTM, found in the brand's own classes, and that we consider confusingly similar – from the earliest match found to today.
Similar to MONSTER ENERGY (classes 5, 9, 12, 32, 35, 41, 42; searched 2018-01-31 to 2026-11-08)
| Mark | Published | Class | Applicant |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONSTER | 2021-09-29 | 12 | DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING S.p.A. |
Similar to PREDATOR ENERGY (classes 11, 14, 16, 21, 22, 24, 32; searched 2018-02-28 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similar to MONSTER (classes 9, 32, 35, 41, 42; searched 2018-02-28 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similar to UNLEASH THE ULTRA BEAST! (classes 5, 32; searched 2018-01-31 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similar to M MONSTER ENERGY (classes 12, 14, 24, 41; searched 2018-02-28 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similarity of the words only. Whether a mark could have been opposed depends on the goods and services, the reputation of the brand and the facts – S&Z can advise. New marks like these are what SimTM watch reports as they are published.
How S&Z can help you
S&Z does not just file trademarks. We are a technology-first firm that manages trademarks – analysing your data, monitoring competitors and making sure your trademark assets remain protected.
We manage your trademarks – not just file them
Analysing your data, monitoring competitors and making sure your trademark assets remain protected:
Filing and renewal at fixed, all-inclusive prices
S&Z prices – South African trademarks
| Filing, first class – incl. official fee, examination report, routine office action, acceptance, publication, registration and e-certificate | US$240 |
| Each additional class of the same mark, filed at the same time | US$225 |
| Renewal online, per class (every 10 years from filing) | R1,027 ≈ US$62.29 |
Renewal in rand; US$ at R16.49 per US$.
Monster Energy's next five years of renewals
126 of Monster Energy's registered marks reach their ten-year renewal date in 2027–2031. Renewed online with S&Z, that costs about US$7,849 over the five years.
Monster Energy: frequently asked questions
What should Monster Energy consider for its trademarks?
- Where to file next: its goods sell strongly in Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania – markets where South African exports of the same goods are large or growing, and where S&Z files at its own all-in prices (see “Monster Energy – relevant export countries”).
- Possible gaps: its competitors also protect class 31 (fresh produce & pet food) – worth checking against what the business sells or plans to sell.
- Brand coverage: Unleash The Ultra Beast! is protected in only one or two classes – check whether related goods or services (for example merchandise or online services) need cover too.
- Similar marks: we found 1 word mark of other companies that we consider confusingly similar to its top brands (see “Word marks you may have considered opposing”) – a watch service flags new ones while they can still be opposed.
- Fewer new brands: new brand names fell from 12.2 to 11.8 a year – worth reviewing whether planned launches are being protected early enough.
- Renewals and use: keep track of the ten-year renewal dates and of marks that are no longer used – unused marks can be challenged after five years, and some may no longer be worth renewing.