Intellectual Property Insights from Fishman Stewart
Mini Article – Volume 24, Issue 14
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Trumpamania Trademark Filings Get Ready to Rumble
By Kristyn Webb
While the next presidential election in the US remains a way off, November 5, 2024, campaign season is in full swing. As part of the election process, the participating political parties each hold their own convention to elect the party’s candidate.
The 2024 Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump was officially named as the candidate for the Republican Party, was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just a few days after a fatal shooting took place at a Trump Campaign Rally in Pennsylvania. The Convention spanned several days and was a star-studded event.
Former wrestling star Hulk Hogan was among the celebrities in attendance who spoke in support of Trump. On the last day of the convention, July 18, 2024, Hogan delivered an impassioned speech featuring the term “Trumpamania”—-a play on the term “WrestleMania,” the annual wrestling event where Hogan was a long-time reigning champion.
On July 20, 2024, Hogan Holdings, LLC filed a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for TRUMPAMANIA for various clothing items. However, it appears that Hogan was beat to the punch by Latino Gang LLC, which had already filed two applications on July 19, 2024, for the same term for various clothing items and for bedding and banners. All of the applications were filed on an intent-to-use basis, meaning that the filing date may determine who has the rights to the mark. There is no indication yet how any of these applications may be taken by Trump or the WWE, the wrestling organization that holds various registrations for WRESTLEMANIA—-including one for clothing.
It is starting to look like this may be a trail-blazin’, eyebrow raisin’ battle.
Kristyn Webb is the Group Leader of Fishman Stewart’s Copyright Practice Group, and holds a Master’s Degree in Copyright Law from King’s College London.
Published August 9th, 2024
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