At times like this, most of us pull together and help other people, but there are usually a small group of opportunists. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has received several trademark filings containing the CORONAVIRUS mark by people looking to lock up the name.

Some filings on the Trademark Office are just downright deplorable. On February 9th, a person named Harley Lawrence Ganiere doing business as Coronavirus LLC filed for a the CORONAVIRUS mark to cover musical recordings and t-shirts. Why this person listed their personal name and business name, I have no clue. This is just the start. Some other marks applied for include the following:

CORONAVIRUS SURVIVAL GUIDE

WUHAN CORONA MVAX

WUHAN CORONA VAX

CORONAVIRUSRX

CORONAKIT

I SURVIVED COVID-19

TOGETHER WE SURVIVED COVID-19

I have a feeling that the Trademark Office will not look fondly on all these filings. The marks are in common use and not likely to be protectable. For example, what would distinct one person's use of CORONAVIRUS as opposed to the other. We all know that NIKE is associated with one brand and one type of sneakers. We wouldn't have that same thought when seeing a product with CORONAVIRUS. If we are unable to identify the source associated with a trademark, it is not really a trademark.

Best of health out there and please, stay clear of opportunist trademark filings.