2016 Presidential Campaign Trademarks

WARNING: The following blog contains explicit language and is intended for mature adults only.

Regardless of your political affiliation, it is always interesting to see how each presidential candidate utilizes slogans and trademarks to capture voter attention and brand their campaign. In the 2016 Presidential Campaign trademarks, we have already seen several candidates submit trademark applications for their campaign slogans and designs.

In addition, outside parties have submitted trademark applications in connection with products either in hopes of capitalizing on the fame of the candidate or offering their support. Either way, it’s worth noting that not a single third party filer has been successful in securing a registration. That’s because in order to be approved, the presidential candidate would need to give his or her consent to have their name used as a trademark—which you can bet they haven’t done for some of the marks below.

Below are the 2016 Presidential Campaign Trademarks, so far:

Hillary Clinton

Hillary’s campaign is in full swing and has active trademark filings for:

  • HILLARY FOR AMERICA

  • H (Design Mark)

Each of these marks is filed for a wide variety of products and services, ranging from picture frames, golf balls and pet collars to political campaign services. More interesting, however, are the third parties which have filed trademarks, albeit unsuccessfully, for marks mentioning Hillary. Among them include:

  • ANYTHING BUT HILLARY for use in connection with clothing

  • BEAT HILLARY for use in connection with bop bags

  • BUSH SUCKS HILLARY SWALLOWS for use in connection with bumper stickers, and clothing

  • COFFEE WITH CREAM, HILLARY WITH THE AMERICAN DREAM! in connection with licensing of advertising slogans and cartoon characters

  • HILLARY’S MY MAN for use in connection with clothing

Donald Trump

Mr. Trump is no stranger to trademarks. From his television shows to his hotel chains, he has several hundred active marks in the United States. For his 2016 presidential run, he’s going with MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN for use in connection with everything from bumper stickers, campaign buttons and purses to online social networking services. In addition, he filed trademarks in Maryland for TRUMP EXPRESS and TRUMP SHUTTLE for use in connection with transportation and storage services.

Third parties came up with these gems, which have not been successfully registered:

  • TRUMP IS MY HOMEBOY for use in connection with clothing

  • DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT for promoting the interests of Donald trump in the field of politics

Jeb Bush

Jeb's campaign originally filed for JEB!, but abandoned the mark because Jeb Bush never filed the necessary consent to use his name in the mark. Nothing else has been filed since that time.

Bernie Sanders

It does not appear that Bernie’s campaign has any filings in the works yet, but one of his proud supporters, Galactic Apartments LLC out of Las Vegas, filed a trademark for “BERNIE FUCKING SANDERS” for use in connection with clothing and artwork back in November 2015.

As the race continues, there will no doubt be more campaigns and fans filing trademark applications. Which is your favorite so far? Perhaps they should poll the American people on their favorite 2016 Presidential Campaign Trademarks and see!

Source: Uspto.gov

For more information on this topic, please visit our Trademark Registration service page, which is part of our Trademarks practice.

Klemchuk LLP is an Intellectual Property (IP), Technology, Internet, and Business law firm located in Dallas, TX. The firm offers comprehensive legal services including litigation and enforcement of all forms of IP as well as registration and licensing of patents, trademarks, trade dress, and copyrights. The firm also provides a wide range of technology, internet, e-commerce, and business services including business planning, formation, and financing, mergers and acquisitions, business litigation, data privacy, and domain name dispute resolution. Additional information about the trademark law firm and its trademark attorneys may be found at www.klemchuk.com.

Klemchuk LLP hosts Culture Counts, a blog devoted to the discussion of law firm culture and corporate core values with frequent topics about positive work environment, conscious capitalism, entrepreneurial management, positive workplace culture, workplace productivity, and corporate core values.

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