Celebrity Trademarks: Octomom
You may be familiar with Octomom, the Florida woman who recently gave birth to octuplets, but have you heard of Octomom the brand? Nadya Suleman, "affectionately" nicknamed "Octomom" by the tabloid media, recently applied to the USPTO to register the nickname as a trademark for use with clothing and disposable diapers. The application presents some interesting issues.
Commentators say the term "Octomom" is probably capable of functioning as a trademark as long as it is used to identify a brand or a source of goods or services. Others contend that trademark examiners will think otherwise. The application includes a section stating the "mark identifies Nadya Suleman, whose consent(s) to register is made of record." Such a statement may cause her mark to be perceived as identifying a person, rather than products or services.
In the same light, even if Suleman was to trademark her own name, surnames usually receive the same treatment as descriptive marks under trademark law. Therefore terms that include a name, "Jones Cosmetics" for example, are not protectable without a secondary meaning. Suleman has not established a secondary meaning for her name or nickname, because she has yet to use the term in commerce to identify clothing or disposable diapers. It is likely that the USPTO may require her to offer proof that the name has a reputation connected with the listed goods and not merely to her.
If you have considered obtaining a trademark for a brand that contains a name, contact an experienced trademark attorney for advice regarding secondary meaning requirements.
