Should Jeremy Lin Be Able to Trademark 'Linsanity'?
SodaHead Sports
2012/02/18 23:36:39
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Jeremy Lin may be the inspiration behind “Linsanity,” but he wasn’t the first person to try to trademark the phrase. Now, the 23-year-old basketball star is fighting for the right to make money off his own name.
On Feburary 7, Yenchin Chang, a 35-year-old man from Alhambra, CA, filed a trademark application to cover goods and services using the phrase. In a recent interview, Chang, who shares Lin’s Taiwanese background, explained, "I just wanted to be part of the excitement."
On Feburary 9, Andrew Slayton, who says he was an unofficial assistant for Lin’s team at Palo Alto High School, also filed for trademark rights. Slayton purchased the web domain www.linsanity.com in 2010 and is already selling “Linsanity” merchandise on the site.
Jeremy Lin submitted his own application for trademark protection—both for “Linsanity” and his name—on February 13. Despite his late filing date, a number of patent, trademark, and copyright attorneys have said that Lin is likely to come out on top.
Really, it’s no surprise that people like Chang and Slayton are trying to cash in on “Linsanity.” When it comes to Jeremy Lin, there’s a lot of money to be made. Since February 4, Lin’s jersey has been the NBA’s top seller and Lin is also selling out arenas where the Knicks play.
What do you think SodaHeads? Jeremy Lin didn’t invent the term “Linsanity,” but he is the man behind the craze. Should he be able to trademark the phrase?
On Feburary 7, Yenchin Chang, a 35-year-old man from Alhambra, CA, filed a trademark application to cover goods and services using the phrase. In a recent interview, Chang, who shares Lin’s Taiwanese background, explained, "I just wanted to be part of the excitement."
On Feburary 9, Andrew Slayton, who says he was an unofficial assistant for Lin’s team at Palo Alto High School, also filed for trademark rights. Slayton purchased the web domain www.linsanity.com in 2010 and is already selling “Linsanity” merchandise on the site.
Jeremy Lin submitted his own application for trademark protection—both for “Linsanity” and his name—on February 13. Despite his late filing date, a number of patent, trademark, and copyright attorneys have said that Lin is likely to come out on top.
Really, it’s no surprise that people like Chang and Slayton are trying to cash in on “Linsanity.” When it comes to Jeremy Lin, there’s a lot of money to be made. Since February 4, Lin’s jersey has been the NBA’s top seller and Lin is also selling out arenas where the Knicks play.
What do you think SodaHeads? Jeremy Lin didn’t invent the term “Linsanity,” but he is the man behind the craze. Should he be able to trademark the phrase?
Read More: http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/...
Top Opinion
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MLU103169 2012/02/20 16:02:35
If it was his image then he would be able to stop anyone from capitalizing on it without his permission. If it was his name "Jeremy Lin" he would be able to stop anyone from capitalizing on it without his permission. But the only thing changed in this word is the letter "L" has been added. I know the implied meaning but a good lawyer will drag this out and nobody will really benefit other than ALL the lawyers.
In reality, a buy-out deal will probably be struck by one of the three. The one with the most money will win. That would be Lin.
The marketing off of his name is worth billions!!!!!
What is the new term for this-"Sheeple?"
Maybe these sites jade my opinion. In reality, sites like this are only involving "hundreths" of percentage points of the US population...The ones not responding perhaps are not buying into any of it.
Big money is made by some. I guess that is a good thing...P.T. Barnum had it right. A sucker is born every minute.