Occupy Trademark?
Get ready to roll your eyes because it is inevitable.
A Long Island couple claiming to be supporters of Occupy Wall Street, a movement which has demonstrated anti-capitalist ideals, is engaging in a fundamental capitalist activity that has other OWS supporters raising eyebrows (or rolling eyeballs.) The activity? Trademarking.
Specifically, the couple wants to trademark the slogan “Occupy Wall St.” with the intent to sell sweatshirts, T-shirts, bumper stickers and hobo bags, and other merchandise.
From The Smoking Gun:
“Asked if his move to stake a legal claim to ‘Occupy Wall Street’ might be seen as a crass attempt to cash in on a movement that has a harsh view of corporations and capitalism, [the husband] Maresca answered, ‘No.’ Noting that he has a ‘practical business side,’ Maresca added that, ‘If I didn’t buy it and use it someone else will.'”
In other sellout news, MTV is trying to capitalize on the movement by casting for a reality show about Occupy Wall Street.
All right kids, I guess this means it is time to roll up the sleeping bags and head back to your apartments, because with these new developments OWS is quickly heading into “uncool” territory.
Thank you to Emily Wolf and Lindsay Sklar for these links!
