As I mentioned in class, Nadya Suleman, who was dubbed "Octomom" after she gave birth to eight babies in January, has filed applications to trademark the nickname, "Octomom."
Read this short article from the American Bar Association Journal. But also check out the trademark application at SmokingGun.com. Be sure to look through each of the seven pages of the application.
It's interesting to see that a company in Austin filed a trademark application for the term "Octomom" before Suleman did.
After you review the article and the application, post a comment about what you think of Suleman's trademark application. Do you think "Octomom" is marketable? In other words, will the trademark help sell those items?
19 comments:
I think it's ridiculous that she is putting a trademark on "Octomom." However, I do think that the nickname is very marketable as she became widely known as "Octomom," and not necessary her given name of Nadya Suleman. The identification of "disposable diapers" isn't what I think of when I hear "Octomom." I believe it might be hard to get rid of the overwhelming "crazy lady who's trying to become famous" stigma, but only time will tell.
I read in a different article that she was doing this because she didn't want anyone else to make money off of "her name or her children." She says her main concern is the heatlh of her children, yet she has the time and resources to trademark and MAKE MONEY off of a nickname that she was given by the media??
Is "Octomom" marketable? Yes and no. It seems like people have an interest in Suleman but don't necessarily like her - a stigma that would be hard to overcome unless she became "mom of the year." I think there's a chance Suleman could profit from a TV show. People are curious about how she and her children are doing, and similar "big family" shows have been a huge hit. As for disposable diapers and clothes, I think there's little money to be made there. It seems impractical to try to compete with big diaper brands like Huggies, Luvs and Pampers. Plus, baby clothes are baby clothes. The average person makes such purchases based on affordability. Whether a shirt had an "Octoman" tag would likely have little influence on a consumer. (On a separate note, besides the IVF and ethical aspects of Suleman's story, I find it sad she received so much mainstream media coverage. It's sad when people can discuss Suleman's story in detail over knowing more relevant, hard news.)
Denise Mamo T/TH 9:30
I don't think that 'Octomom' is marketable. It seems to me that she's just trying to make money because of the 8 kids, and has nothing more than that going for her. Putting the trademark 'Octomom' on clothing and diapers doesn't make any sense to me. If I had a kid, I don't think I'd buy anything for it that had that trademark. She hasn't presented herself in any sort of positive light, and with so many other trademarks out there, I don't think she'd be very successful. As far as Austin trying to secure the trademark, I think they should have the right to it since they filed the application first.
Katrina Reid
T/Th 9:30
Okay...this sounds like a load of crap. Obviously she needs the money to provide for the 14 kids of hers. If she feels that she want to trademark OCTOMOM that is fine, but honestly do I think any one on the market will buy her logo? NO! I wouldn't buy the product. To me that is supporting something that I do not agree with. I think it will be a waste her money and time. The fact of her having 8 kids and no job was a very controversial topic with the public and she really didn't have a lot of support on it.There may be the FEW that is willing to buy her product and help support the kids.
Mary Munson-MW 2pm
This is an interesting story and it is kind of funny that she just missed it. Personally I think that the name "Octomom" would evoke sensationalism in a product, but not trust. I don't think that her having this name and plastering it on products would be a very marketable venture unless the advertisers were willing to play off the perceptions that come with the name. I can't see how they could do anything but make it comical. I could see how the name would be far more marketable for a reality TV show than for products that people would trust to use for their own children.
Nadya Suleman is obviously slightly nuts and everyone knows that so i wouldn't be surprised if people were not shocked with her attempting to trademark her nickname. Its also not surprising that she wants to put her nickname or future tradmark on disposable diapers, and assorted clothing items, i mean that not as drastic as having 8 kids in the manner that she did. I dont think her products will be popular with consumers because people do not respect her and wouldnt want to support her trademark products, therefor she is just going to end up looking ridiculous again.
Oh, geez...this lady is nothing short of ridiculous. I don't believe that the name is all that marketable. I mean, wouldn't the public see right through this as an attempt to "cash in" on the fact that she gave birth to eight kids? If I were looking to purchase diapers or baby clothes (and I'm won't be), I would intentionally buy anything except her endorsed items. So she's merely looking after her kids with this trademark decision, huh? Yeah, right. She makes me sick.
Mackenzie Smith (MW 2pm)
I don't think Octomom is really as marketable as she thinks it would be. It seems as if Octomom has some negative connotations with it. People hear Octomom they think crazy lady who had too many kids. It doesn't necessarily scream trustworthy product.
Having the name "octomom" will of course attract attention and help her become better known in society , but i do not think it will help her market products at all. In my opinion, i am not going to buy something at the store just because it has the octomom logo slapped on it. You have to gain trust with brands and people usually stick to brands that are loyal to them. She is going to have to do alot more than designate a nickname for herself if she wants to be a successful marketer of products. Only my opinion.
Silvia Irizarry T&TH 9:30am I am not sure if there really is a "yes" or a "no" to this question. I do think, unfortunatlely that "Octomom" might actually sell some products. I am not sure if everyone is in favor of her new clothing line especially after the way the media has portrayed her, BUT somewhere out there people will want to buy her products. Out of all the dumb things she has said and done I think putting her "Octomom" name to use is a smart way to make easy cash.
I think the nickname "Octomom" does sell...papers. This slag is getting on my nerves. She's absolutely ridiculous and irresponsible. What everyone is worried about is taking her picture at the local starbucks rather than sending some psychiatrist over to her house to sit down and find out what is wrong with her. I'm sorry but a mom with 14 kids, on welfare, doesn't go to the spa to get her nails done, isn't at starbucks or out shopping 7 days a week. I have yet to see a picture of her at home, playing with her kids, or at least driving them to school. Also, if i was the reporter that came up with that phrase, i'd call copyright over her. "You had the babies, but i thought up the name."
"Octomom" is probably not worth the investment. It's sort of seen as such a negative moniker, that I doubt anyone would buy any products, especially that of diapers and wipes with that name.
Brett Cannon T/TH 9:30
The mother 14 now, Nadya is looking for anyway to make some money. I hope that she has a rich babies' daddy because that is a ton of kids to take care of. I don't the Octomom would sell very well, but anything to bring in some cash seems much needed for the family. I see many trips to KFC for numerous buckets of chicken in this family's future.
I think the whole situation is disgusting and this woman needs to get her priorities straight. I would never support a woman who uses her children for attention and profit. I think if she tried to sell products under the "Octomom" trademark, she would ultimately fail.
Matthew Champion
T/Th 12:30
Jessica Elmore (t/th 9:30)
I am so tired of this woman and her ridiculous antics to make money and gain fame off her children. I think she is a joke and I truly hope that NOONE buys any of the items. I don't think "Octomom" should be marketable in any way...but I am sure there are people out there that will unfortunately support this.
april adams-johnson
t, th 1230
I think that Nadya Soleman or however you spell it, is being absolutely ridiculous. It does not need to be trademarked. that name is a waste of space and one that the media coined her as. I think it would also not be a good investment. Geez! she just wants to make more money, especially because she does have to raise so many babies.
Kristen Dudding TTH 12:30
I think Nadya Suleman will do anything but hold a real job to make money. So, it doesn't suprise me that she is trying to cash in on the "octomom" name. In my opinion, the name doesn't seem marketable. But, then again, thousands of people sent her money after her children were born, so those people will probably also support her in buying the products she puts out.
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