Publicity Stunt On Like Donkey Kong, After Nintendo Files Trademark For 'It's On Like Donkey Kong'
from the it's-on-like-a-promotional-stunt dept
It appears that Nintendo has filed for a trademark on "It's On Like Donkey Kong," the popular catchphrase that apparently became popular when Ice Cube used it in a song. Nintendo, of course, has a reasonable trademark on "Donkey Kong" itself. But on that phrase? That seems pretty questionable. Of course, a pretty big clue as to why Nintendo is doing this is covered in CNN's article about the trademark application: this trademark application just happened to have been noticed "just days before the latest Donkey Kong [game] is to be released." Ah, trademark abuse for publicity.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: donkey kong, trademark
Companies: nintendo
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- Steve Stifler
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But it's been "on" before, right?
Plus this is an example of a catchphrase in the mainstream, and a positive one at that as far as the brand is considered. Nintendo should be so lucky. So would the USPTO reject the mark based on that?
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Limitations on trademarks
Now that's not to say that trademarks aren't often abused by rights-holders making unjustified threats, but I don't think registering and using a mark like this inherently abusive.
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Re: Limitations on trademarks
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Re:
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Uh, Oh Brooks and Dunn are going to get sued by Nintendo
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copyright vs trademark
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