Written by Jan Buza
Co-founder of Trama
Generally, you can trademark a person's name or a surname, also known as an eponymous brand. However, some conditions must be met before you do so. The question of registering one's name depends on the jurisdiction where you are planning your registration.
In the EU, a trademark can consist of a personal name and other signs such as letters, numbers, or colours.
In the US, the name you are planning to trademark must be unique and must be used in commerce, and registering the surname itself would be examined particularly strictly. If you want to register your name simply to hinder anyone else from using it and you don't have a business it is not possible.
In the UK, no special rules guide the registration of personal names or surnames. However, it is prohibited to register the names of the members of the UK Royal family. If the name you are planning to apply for is already registered, you might be refused entry to the registry.
How much does adding a class to my US trademark application cost?
What requirements must a mark meet to be eligible for registration?
I found out my mark is similiar to an already existing trademark. What should I do?
Do I pay just once for the registration, or are there any fees for keeping the trademark?
Should I register my company first before trademark registration?
Can I register a trademark later if I can prove I was using it?
What is the price of an additional trademark class in the US?
I want to register an US trademark in one class; how much would that cost?
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Trademark laws protect not only words and slogans, but also various shapes, sounds, and smells. With millions of trademark applications filed each year, we are seeing an influx of exceptional cases of filings for unconventional trademarks by both new and established brands. Below is a list of some of the most original and unexpected products that people have trademarked.
Many celebrities have taken the entrepreneurial path and have commenced branding programs using their intellectual property to sell a variety of goods and services. In order to do that, they first must register official trademarks — for their names, their children’s names, their catchphrases, and their song lyrics. Some of them are successful, and some are not. From Donald Trump’s catchphrase “You’re Fired” to Beyoncé registering the names of her children, here are seven most interesting things celebrities have tried to trademark.
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