Toyota trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2024
Video: how Toyota extended its South African trademarks into new classes from 1970 to 2024 – from vehicles, electronics & software, construction & repair into new fields. 45 of 45 classes, 493 trademarks. South African trademark statistics by Sibanda & Zantwijk.
Transcript
- Before 1970, Toyota already used 4 classes, including class 12 vehicles, class 7 machines, class 9 electronics & software, class 11 lighting & appliances.
- 1982: Toyota moves into class 36 finance & insurance; class 37 construction & repair; class 39 transport & travel.
- 1993: Toyota moves into class 17 rubber & plastics; class 42 tech & IT services.
- 1995: Toyota moves into class 6 metal goods; class 14 jewellery & watches; class 16 paper & print; class 18 leather & bags; class 22 ropes & tents; class 25 clothing; class 28 toys & sports goods; class 34 tobacco.
- 2002: Toyota moves into class 35 advertising & retail; class 41 education & entertainment; class 43 restaurants & hotels.
- 2008: Toyota moves into class 4 oils & fuels.
- 2012: Toyota moves into class 1 chemicals; class 21 kitchenware; class 24 textiles; class 27 carpets.
- 2014: Toyota moves into class 2 paints; class 3 cosmetics & cleaning; class 5 pharmaceuticals; class 8 hand tools; class 10 medical devices; class 13 firearms & fireworks; class 15 musical instruments; class 19 building materials; class 20 furniture; class 23 yarns; class 26 haberdashery; class 29 meat, dairy & oils; class 30 coffee, flour & sweets; class 31 fresh produce & pet food; class 32 beer & soft drinks; class 33 wines & spirits; class 38 telecoms; class 40 processing materials; class 44 medical & beauty care; class 45 legal & security.
- By 2024, Toyota had trademarks in 45 of the 45 classes.