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Home | News | Brando estate files trademark application
Brando estate files trademark application
Friday, 22 October 2004The late Marlon Brando's estate has reportedly filed an application for trademark protection with the US patent and trademark office.
As a precautionary measure, the application lists items that the estate is concerned might be marketed.
Items in the filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office include Brando sunglasses, fridge magnets, wrapping paper, mouse pads and clothing, such as underwear, bathrobes and kimonos.
However, the estate does not have any control over one of the most iconic images of Brando. Rights to The Godfather are owned by Paramount, the studio that made the film and include the image of Don Vito Corleone, played the actor.
The estate's action aims to prevent any exploitation of the actor's image without its approval.
"The last thing I'm going to do is something that cheapens Marlon's image," Mike Medavoy, the co-executor of the estate and friend of Brando's told the Los Angeles Times. "You want some sort of blanket protection against anyone doing something that basically goes out and steals his image and puts it on a napkin. This way, you can protect against it."
Brando died of lung failure in July at the age of 80. His ashes were scattered in Death Valley, California, and in Tahiti.
Late Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne and Steve McQueen have made millions of dollars posthumously promoting products.
As a precautionary measure, the application lists items that the estate is concerned might be marketed.
Items in the filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office include Brando sunglasses, fridge magnets, wrapping paper, mouse pads and clothing, such as underwear, bathrobes and kimonos.
However, the estate does not have any control over one of the most iconic images of Brando. Rights to The Godfather are owned by Paramount, the studio that made the film and include the image of Don Vito Corleone, played the actor.
The estate's action aims to prevent any exploitation of the actor's image without its approval.
"The last thing I'm going to do is something that cheapens Marlon's image," Mike Medavoy, the co-executor of the estate and friend of Brando's told the Los Angeles Times. "You want some sort of blanket protection against anyone doing something that basically goes out and steals his image and puts it on a napkin. This way, you can protect against it."
Brando died of lung failure in July at the age of 80. His ashes were scattered in Death Valley, California, and in Tahiti.
Late Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne and Steve McQueen have made millions of dollars posthumously promoting products.