Trademarking the name

Introducing some of  Hollywood’s most wanted and a baby, who want a™ after their name.

Blue it is

In 2011, American power couple, Beyonce and Jay Z, filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office to protect the name of their infant daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. The new parents have plans to reserve their child’s name for possible use as a brand name for a line of baby-related products, including carriages, diaper bags and baby cosmetics. It appears they were forced to act quickly to protect the name after fashion designer Joseph Mbeh submitted an application to trademark ‘Blue Ivy Carter NYC’ on January 11, only four days after the child was born.

Mom and me

The former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin and her 'Dancing with the Stars' daughter, Bristol Palin have filed applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office to trademark their names for ‘educational and entertainment services … providing motivational speaking services in the field of politics, culture, business and values’. While Sarah’s trademark cost her $650, Bristol’s rang up at $325. The government trademark examining attorney as of now has found no conflicting marks that would bar registration.

Power up

Legendary talk-show queen and owner of OWN network, there is only one Oprah Winfrey. But it doesn’t hurt to make sure. Her production company, Harpo, has federally protected both the names ‘Oprah’ and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Last month, a trademark infringement lawsuit was filed against Winfrey by business owner Simone Kelly Brown for using the phrase ‘Own Your Power’ on Winfrey’s magazine. But Winfrey was able to convince the judge that she is not guilty of stealing the trademarked phrase, and the dispute has been resolved.

Caught in the web

Lady Gaga is currently one of the biggest selling recording artists in the world, with almost 15,000,000 million followers on Twitter. So when Excite Worldwide, a company unaffiliated with the singer, attempted to register the name Lady Gaga as a trademark for their cosmetics and jewellery line, she responded by filing a lawsuit. According to the singer, the applications by the company are blocking her own marketing efforts for her products that include Lady Gaga candles, key chains, bags, towels, lanyards, tattoos, wigs and ornaments.

Being nameless

After filing for bankruptcy last year, rapper Young Buck is facing liquidation and is on the verge of losing his name. Young Buck, real name David Darnell Brown, is arguing he needs his name as he attempts to sign a new deal with Cash Money Records, the huge label Nicki Minaj calls home. But the court is more concerned with settling the $11.5 million in outstanding debts, including one for $10 million to former mentor 50 Cent and his G-Unit Records. “My name, Young Buck, has been with me since I was 13-years-old,” Buck said. “At the end of the day, it’s ridiculous. My name wasn’t given to me by G-Unit Records. They didn’t name me Young Buck. My mother calls me Young Buck,” he’d said.