Sarah Palin’s Trademark

Has anyone ever heard of a politician doing this?

Politics Daily has learned that the Palin family lawyer, Alaska attorney Thomas Van Flein, has filed applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to trademark “Sarah Palin®” and “Bristol Palin®.”

According to patent office application (serial # 85170226), Van Flein registered for a trademark of “Sarah Palin” on Nov. 5, 2010 — three days after the midterm elections. The government trademark examining attorney has “found no conflicting marks that would bar registration.” In other words, nobody else had already taken the proposed trademark.

A “Bristol Palin” application (serial #85130638) was filed on Sept. 15, 2010. Bristol Palin’s stint with “Dancing With the Stars” premiered on Sept. 20.

I’ve long supposed that Palin would run for the GOP nomination next year but perhaps this move shows she’s more interested in the Sarah Palin brand than electoral politics. Just as well perhaps since she can’t and won’t win. Then again, it’s the lovely Mrs Palin so who the hell knows? And at least her brand is worth more than Huckabee’s.

[Via Ben Smith]