Katy Perry recently tried to trademark the infamous Left Shark from her Halftime performance… but the application was DENIED. Why?…
–“Insuficient evidence the public associates Left Shark with Perry’s halftime performance.”
Apparently, the design “identifies only a particular character; it does not function as a service mark to identify and distinguish applicant’s services from those of others and to indicate the source of applicant’s services,” according to trademark examiner David Collier from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The trademark attempt was made after an artist named Fernando Sosa and others tried to cash in on “Left Shark.” So Katy wanted to stop them from profiting on non-licensed “Left Shark” designs. The singer’s lawyers sent Sosa a cease-and-desist letter after he listed merchandise featuring the character for sale.
But even though her trademark failed this time, she can try again!
The Trademark Office told Perry to be more specific about the types of “costumes” and “figurines” she wishes to trademark if she decides to apply again.
