Discussion: Woman Tries To Trademark 'I Can't Breathe' To Sell Merchandise

[system1]

Discussion for article #231360

[commenterperson]

“Crump told The Smoking Gun she did not apply for a trademark to make money.”

If so, then, WHY?

[srfromgr]

‘Won’t happen’.

Hey, maybe I should trademark that!
Nah. That’s just dumb.

[fess]

Crump told The Smoking Gun she did not apply for a trademark to make money.

Dear, me, no. Money has absolutely nothing to do with her applying for a trademark on these words. Good heavens! Who would even think of such a thing?

[chelsea530]

Maybe she’s going to give any profit to Garner’s family.

Right.

[thunderclapnewman]

This woman shows herself to be repulsive and none too bright.

[ronbyers]

I have trademark and patent lawyers on retainer, I can assure you her comment that she didn’t apply for the trademark to make money is bullshit.

[thepsyker]

I suppose she could want the trademark in order to try and hamper protestors using it as slogan, but that would probably fall foul of some fair-use rules and would make her even more of a dick.

[mulholland]

I’ve thought about trademarking some of my smarter turns of phrase as well.

Crump may not have wanted to make money, but undoubtedly wanted to maintain control of how the phrase was used in regard to this case. Whether it’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen.

(And if she can prove she was the first one to move the phrase on the interwebs, I’m pretty sure she does have a claim.)

[theghostofeustacetilley]

She’s requested standard character format for the tm which provides broad rights, namely use in any manner of presentation, ergo, she is of course not in it for the money.

[theghostofeustacetilley]

She claims use on consumer products, not the interwebs. Hoodies and t-shirts. hmmm. hoodies and t-shirts.

[austin_dave]

Seems I’ve seen this slogan on asthma PSAs off and on for years, too.

[cincypix]

Of course she’s not Someone in my extended family trademarked a stylized version of “you are (redacted) .” The relation had someone design some knick-knacks, someone else handle the trademark application, and had the proceeds distributed to nominees. Made a small reaming lol.

[fargo116]

I have run off 50,000 hoodies with "I Can’t Breathe’ printed on them.

My lawyer is giggling at the thought of Crump suing cause SHE’S in it to make money.

[elephant]

I’mma gonna trademark this and send it to her. “bitch please.”

[an_american]

seems like Eric Garner is the first one to use it…she would have to dispute first use with his estate. also, she’s a vile person.

[theghostofeustacetilley]

@Josh_M Woman was from Illinois, not Michigan. Front page says from Michigan.

[zlohcuc]

Crump told The Smoking Gun she did not apply for a trademark to make money.

She indicated that the phrase had a nice ring to it…effing vermin and parasites without a mind of their own.

[bluestatedon]

So does this mean every time some asthmatic kid tells his mom “I can’t breathe” he’s infringing on a copyright?

[bluestatedon]

In a related story, Crump mentioned that she’s also filing patent claims for the phrases “I was just following orders.”, “the check is in the mail”, and “I’ll respect you in the morning.”