Claiming Trademark Rights to a Personal Name?

By P. Kandiah

The whole world knows of Greta Thunberg from online, print and broadcast media.

Greta Thunberg is a 17-year-old climate activist from Sweden. Her activities in the field of climate change have made her internationally well-known.

In a recent Instagram post, she voiced her disapproval of certain parties, pointing out that “Unfortunately there are still people who are trying to impersonate me or falsely claim that they “represent” me in order to communicate with high profile people, politicians, media, artists etc.”

Determined to protect her name and her climate change movement from being used commercially without her consent, she has filed the following trademarks at the European Trademark Office (EUIPO):

  • Greta Thunberg (word mark)
  • FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE (word mark)
  • SKOLSTREJK FÖR KLIMATET (figurative mark)

in the following International Trademark classes:

  • Class 35 for advertising, commercial and office services
  • Class 36 for financial and fundraising services
  • Class 41 for teaching and education
  • Class 42 for scientific and technological services

The trademark applications were filed on 23 December 2019 and published by EUIPO on 23 January 2020. As per standard EU trademark opposition procedure, the marks are now open for opposition for three months. If no opposition is filed within that period, these marks will be registered in the EU.

The trademark registration will give Greta the opportunity to take trademark infringement action against those who use her name and the name of her movement commercially without her consent. Bravo to the climate activist!

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