A recent trademark filing from Disney for SEAL Team 6 was reported by MediaBistro on May 13. The story sparked interest and news stories internationally.
There was speculation among journalists and bloggers about Disney’s plans for the trademark. The applications range from clothing and toys to entertainment and education products.
However, Disney’s trademark applications may not be as solid as many first thought.
The same day the story broke that Disney filed three separate trademarks for the phrase SEAL Team 6, The Department of the Navy followed suit by filing for a trademark on SEAL Team.
The filings are different, but the Navy is definitely taking notice.
Quick Recap of Events
Osama bin Laden is killed on May 1 by SEAL Team 6.
Disney files trademark applications for SEAL Team 6 on May 3.
On May 13, Media Bistro breaks the news of the Disney filings.
Later that day (on May 13), The Dept. of the Navy files for a trademark on SEAL Team.
SEAL Team Trademark application
Here’s a look at the filing provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
| Word Mark | SEAL TEAM |
| Goods and Services | IC 200. US 200. G & S: Indicating membership in a(n) to indicate membership in an organization of the Department of the Navy that develops and executes military missions involving special operations strategy, doctrine, and tactics |
| Standard Characters Claimed | |
| Mark Drawing Code | (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK |
| Serial Number | 85320305 |
| Filing Date | May 13, 2011 |
| Current Filing Basis | 1A |
| Original Filing Basis | 1A |
| Owner | (APPLICANT) The Department of the Navy agency of the united states government UNITED STATES 875 N. Randolph Street Arlington VIRGINIA 222031995 |
| Attorney of Record | Geoffrey M. McNutt |
| Prior Registrations | 3285473 |
| Type of Mark | COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP MARK |
| Register | PRINCIPAL |
| Live/Dead Indicator | LIVE |
At the time of this posting, no one else has reported this news.
Here’s a screenshot of the filing from USPTO.gov.
[UPDATE May 19th, 2011 05:37 PM EST: Thanks to MediaPost. MediaPost Raw is the first major news publication to link to this story.]
[Photo of SEAL trainees via Department of Defense]