As if the news weren't already sufficiently preoccupied with Occupy Wall Street stories, we bring you another one. But instead of featuring the exploits, arrests or debauchery of bored college kids living off their capitalist pig parents, let us tell you the tale of some good old American opportunists making a beeline for the Trademark Office.
That's right: Lately there have been more than 25 trademark applications filed at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the word "Occupy" in them.
Some examples of the trademarks these folks have applied for include:
- "Occupy Los Angeles" (for use by a political action committee)
- "Occupy Hip Hop" (for use on t-shirts, caps and sweatshirts)
- "Occupy America" and "Occupy Any Wear" (also for use on clothing)
- "Occupy the Dance Floor" (yep, clothing again)
- "Occupy the Vote 2012" (It's not clear what this will be used for, but we hope the great unwashed will be required to keep their protest and drum circles at least as far away from the polling centers as the campaigners.)
As spiffy as it all sounds, we'll pass on the chance to buy "Occupy" apparel. But isn't it nice to see that entrepreneurship is still alive and well in this economy?