What Is Class 32? Complete Guide to Trademarking Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Beer

The global beverage market is more crowded than ever, with new drinks introduced daily—sparkling waters, flavored sodas, functional beverages, craft beers, energy drinks, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, sports drinks, mocktails, and more. With so much competition, securing a strong and legally protected brand identity is essential.
Trademarking your beverage brand under Class 32 allows you to protect your name, logo, packaging design, and other brand assets, ensuring that your drinks stand out and remain uniquely yours.

This guide explains what Class 32 includes, how trademarking works for beverage companies, how to avoid common filing mistakes, and why early protection matters for every modern drink brand.

Understanding Class 32 in Trademark Law

Class 32 is part of the Nice Classification system, which organizes goods and services for trademark registration worldwide. The class covers non-alcoholic beverages and beer, including a wide range of popular drink categories.

Protecting your beverage brand in Class 32 helps prevent competitors from adopting confusingly similar names, packaging, or visual identity, giving your product a competitive edge in retail, distribution, and global expansion.

Products Covered Under Class 32

• sparkling water
• mineral water
• flavored water
• soda and soft drinks
• lemonade
• energy drinks
• isotonic drinks
• sports beverages
• craft beer
• non-alcoholic beer
• fruit juices
• vegetable juices
• kombucha
• mocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails
• non-alcoholic cider

Class 32 is the primary class for most drinks found on supermarket shelves or convenience stores, except products with alcohol content.

What Class 32 Does Not Cover

Many businesses are surprised to learn that beverages and related products may fall under different trademark classes depending on their nature and use. Misclassification can delay registration or cause an application to fail.

Products Outside Class 32

What You Can Trademark in Class 32

A beverage brand often has multiple components worthy of trademark protection. Registering these elements protects your brand from imitators and counterfeiters.

Trademarkable Assets

• word mark (brand name)
• logo
• label design
• bottle or can artwork
• 3D packaging (if distinctive)
• slogan or tagline
• signature color scheme
• stylized typography

Table: Types of Trademarks for Beverage Brands

Trademarking more than one element is recommended for full legal protection.

How to Trademark a Beverage Brand Under Class 32

Securing a Class 32 trademark follows a structured process. Each step ensures your branding is unique, registerable, and legally enforceable.

Trademark Search

A clearance search evaluates whether:

• similar drink names exist
• packaging resembles existing brands
• the trademark is descriptive (e.g., “Fresh Lemon Soda”)
• prohibited terms are used

Recommended tools:

• USPTO TESS
• EUIPO eSearch
• WIPO Global Brand Database

A professional trademark search dramatically reduces risks of rejection.

Preparing the Application

Key elements:

• identify which marks to register
• prepare specimen images (labels, cans, bottles)
• specify beverage types under Class 32
• confirm trademark ownership entity

Submitting the Application

Trademark offices worldwide require:

• correct classification
• detailed product descriptions
• government filing fees
• accurate logo/label representations

Responding to Examiner Questions

Typical office actions relate to:

• confusing similarity
• descriptive terms
• geographic references (e.g., “Italian Lemon Drink”)
• generic phrases

Maintaining Registration

Your trademark must be renewed every 10 years, and consistent use is required to avoid cancellation.

Special Legal Considerations for Class 32 Brands

Beverage companies face additional compliance requirements.

Labeling and Packaging Regulations

• FDA/TTB in the U.S. (depending on product type)
• sugar content disclosures
• health claim limitations

Cross-Class Branding

Many beverage brands file additional classes:

• Class 30 (tea/coffee)
• Class 21 (drinkware)
• Class 35 (retail services)
• Class 33 (if expanding to alcohol)

International Distribution

Trademark protection does not automatically extend abroad — international filing is essential for global brands.

Common Trademark Mistakes for Class 32 Products

Avoiding these mistakes saves time, money, and brand integrity:

• choosing overly descriptive names
• copying packaging trends too closely
• neglecting international searches
• failing to protect packaging design
• assuming a domain name equals trademark rights
• filing only the name but not the label

Trademark Costs for Class 32

Should You Trademark Internationally?

If your beverage sells in multiple countries, international trademark protection is essential. Markets to prioritize:

• U.S.
• EU
• UK
• China
• Canada
• Australia
• Japan

How Trademark Factory® Helps Beverage Brands

Trademark Factory® provides:

• comprehensive Class 32 trademark search
• trademark filing for names, logos, packaging
• international expansion strategy
• legal response to office actions
• fixed-fee pricing
• guaranteed results
  
  👉 Book Your Free Beverage Brand Strategy Call

FAQ — Class 32 Trademarks

Useful Resources

• USPTO
• WIPO Database
• EUIPO
• FDA Labeling

Conclusion

Class 32 trademarks protect your beverage brand in an extremely competitive market. From soft drinks and energy beverages to craft beer and juices, registering your trademarks ensures that your brand identity remains exclusively yours — now and as you expand globally.

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