Sarah Palin Trademark Rejected -- For Lack Of Signature

Source: Talking Points Memo

Palin trademark application refused - for now

Diane Bartz
Reuters US Online Report Politics News

Feb 04, 2011 19:27 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sarah Palin's bid to trademark her name and that of her daughter, Bristol, ran into trouble at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office because the application forms were unsigned, government records show.

Applications to trademark the names Sarah Palin and Bristol Palin, both for "motivational speaking services," were filed on November 5 by the Palins' longtime family attorney, Thomas Van Flein, but were quickly slapped down by a trademark examiner.

"Registration is refused because the applied-for mark, SARAH PALIN, consists of a name identifying a particular living individual whose consent to register the mark is not of record," the patent agency said in an office action.

"Please note this refusal will be withdrawn if applicant provides written consent from the individual identified in the applied-for mark," the patent office said.

Read more: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2011/02/palin_trademark_application_refused_-_for_now.php

Reading (the application) & writing - too complicated.

too funny

:rofl:

But can a person trademark their name? What if your name is Mary Jones? There could be other Sarah Palins, and they can't be prohibited from using their names!! This sounds dumb all the way round. Though it's Palin. I should realize that means dumb on its face.

on a motivational speaking basis?

Either that or she wants to be able to sue if there's another "unauthorized biography" during her presidential run.

great (competent) future Prez there! Another dumbf*ck humdinger from the party that brought you Alzheimer Pres (apologies to any Alzheimer's family or friends out there offended by this observation...) and idiot son Prez!

Although less frequent since the USPTO implemented an electronic signature system that sends a confirmation link via email.

But if you are using paper filing, then it is a common way to get a filing date, since the signature can be added later. What typically happens is the client wants to file immediately. So you file, get the initial refusal, and then you have six months to fix it.

It's normal.

Another month wouldn't have lost the ®.

If it wasn't this, then it would be the description of goods or services. They don't feel like they are doing their job down there unless they find some reason for a first action refusal.

"Consent of a living individual" was going to be in the mix on this one anyway, since simple TM work is easy to do, and a lot of hacks don't bother to figure out what their application is going to need up front.

For the attorney, it's just another billing opportunity, and some guys actually seem to practice that way.