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Man Files Trademark Application To Use George Floyd’s Name In Film

By Michael Bamidele

12 June 2020   |   2:32 pm

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A man has filed a trademark application to use George Floyd’s name for the production of film and television. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database, Munemo Mushonga filed the application on June 5 for the purpose of “production and distribution of television shows and movies." The database gave no further…

George Floyd | Image: CNN

A man has filed a trademark application to use George Floyd’s name for the production of film and television.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database, Munemo Mushonga filed the application on June 5 for the purpose of “production and distribution of television shows and movies.”

The database gave no further information regarding Mushonga’s specific plans in using Floyd’s name, Variety reports.

Mushonga has no known connection to the TV and film industry nor to Floyd’s family. TMZ claims to have spoken to Mushonga, but reported that he would not give them any details as to why he filed the application or what he plans to do if the trademark is approved.

According to the USPTO, in order to trademark another living person’s name, written consent is required from the person in question. Since Floyd is dead, it is unclear if this rule still applies or if Mushonga would need consent from Floyd’s family members. However, USPTO also states that if the person in question is deceased and of public notoriety, that could be sufficient grounds for the trademark application to be refused.

Mushonga appears to be planning to capitalize on the national outcry and protests that have occurred after Floyd’s wrongful death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

George Floyd died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds during the arrest. Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street, while two other officers further restrained him.

After Floyd’s death, protests were held globally against the use of excessive force by police officers against black suspects and lack of police accountability. Protests developed in over 400 cities throughout all 50 U.S. states and internationally.