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Jets Cornerback Revis Joins Athletes Seeking Trademarks on Catchphrases
Athletes are increasingly seeking trademark protection for their own personal catchphrases, The New York Times reports.
Back in 1989, then-Lakers coach Pat Riley made news when he obtained a trademark on "three-peat," a phrase he coined to describe the Lakers (unsuccessful) effort to win three consecutive championships. Seeking trademark protection appears to be on the rise in recent years, the Times says, with athletes such as New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, Michael Strahan, Terrell Owens, Manny Ramirez and Jared Allen all seeking to obtain trademarks on phrases.
Revis, one of the best "cover corners" in the NFL, has applied for a trademark on the term "Revis Island" for use on "T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants, hats, footwear, sleepwear, swimwear." The "Revis Island" phrase is now well-known to NFL fans and refers to the lonely, isolated place that wide receivers covered by Revis often go for about 3 hours until the game is over. Revis told the Times that he filed for the trademark out of concern that others were profiting from it through tee shirts and the like.
Other trademarks sought include:
- "Stomp You Out,” by former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan;
- “I Love Me Some Me” and "Getcha Popcorn Ready,” by Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens;
- "Manny Being Manny,” reportedly claimed and then abandoned by Manny Ramirez; and
- “Got Strange?,” by Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
Posted by Bruce Carton on December 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM | Permalink
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