'Octomom' seeks trademark

Octuplet mother Nadya Suleman is seeking to trademark her nickname – “Octomom” – according to two applications filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The applications, filed April 10, say that the trademark would be used  for selling disposable diapers and for “ongoing television programs.”

According to Life & Style magazine, Suleman confirmed that she has reached a deal with a British company to film her children six times a year until they are 18 for a show that will air in Britain.

"They’ll come by and take some footage and then they’ll go,” Suleman told the magazine. “They won’t be invading my life or my children’s lives.”

Suleman’s attorney, Jeff Czech, said the deal has not been finalized.

“We’ve been contacted by four or five companies and some stations, but we’re in negotiations,” he said. “There is no deal.”

At least one other trademark application for Octomom has been filed. Super Happy Fun Fun, a Texas-based corporation, submitted its paperwork March 12, to use the name for computer game software, toys and action figures and wireless and mobile entertainment.

The company’s website indicates that it has developed the Fertile Myrtle game that requires players to “press down on Fertile Myrtle’s swollen belly, and another adorable bundle of joy will be brought into the world.”

Each extra baby earns welfare money, with bonuses given for birthing in front of the paparazzi, the website states.

Czech said he has not yet decided how to handle the competing application, but said, “Octomom is clearly a nickname for only one person.” Suleman has no other merchandising deals, but Czech said he encouraged her to file the applications to protect herself.

-- Kimi Yoshino

Comments

[CADreamin']

How about OctoMom brand condoms. They'd discourage procreation without leaving the box--a guy could just look at Suleman's picture on the packaging and voila, instant sex hex!!!

[Ainsley_Jo_Phillips]

Nadya Suleman was given the label of Octomom because she had eight babies at one time. She became a kind of scapegoat for everything that was wrong with society--someone on whom to vent our feelings of self-righteous outrage that were borne of feeling powerless in a world where terrorism visited our shores in a frightening way; a war is going on that is hard to get out of; the economy has gotten so bad that government assistance is needed to keep us afloat. . .and the list goes on. . .

How DARE she have these babies at a time like this--and (even though the odds are against this being the case) how DARE she do it on purpose to try to become a celebrity!

How DARE she choose to become a single mom to so many! Doesn't she know that people making unconventional choices are a no-no in a society where people are supposed to make things feel "safe" by conforming--right down to their body size. Zero tolerance for overweight people--and anyone who DARES to be overweight is asking for taunting, bullying, and other forms of third-class citizen treatment.

If she used any assistance from the government--even the disability assistance that a couple of her older children were entitled to because of (DUH?) having disabilities--she was a con-artist stealing from we the taxpayers.

If she tried to generate an income through doing television shows, etc., she was a selfish person trying to become famous.

Threats were made against people and companies who offered cash or material goods to her and her family--making it so that they didn't even get the same help that other families of multiples had been getting in the past.

Nadya was offered money and other assistance in exchange for doing pornography. She turned down the offer. If she had taken the offer, there is no doubt that this would be proof to many that she was an unfit mother who deserved to have her kids taken from her--and, yet, her refusal of this offer prompted some people to ask why she hadn't put her children first and taken the offer.

I'm not sure whether or not the label "Octomom" was originally coined as a means of describing her in an insulting way or if it were just simply a description.

However, it has turned into a degrading label by how it has been mangled to be read by such names as Octomonster and Octop***y.

Because of this, Nadya got to not wanting to be referred to by that name.

Thinking it over, however, she decided that it wasn't too bad of a name and would make a good trademark for a company making baby supplies.

She has paid to apply for making "Octomom" a trademark--but it's been found out that another company might have beaten her to the rights.

In my opinion, after all that she and her family have been put through in the way of insults, lies, half-truths, and rumors, she should own the trademark "Octomom" with no questions asked.

[Har-de-har-har]

A complete line of Octomon contraceptives!!!

What a brilliant idea!

[steve rodriguez]

LA Times please no more print for Octomom cover the more important issues, that you usually neglect!

[hilton]

CADreamin......duh! 8 babies were not born from a lack of condom! duh duh duh. there is no relation because this is very unlikely in the natural but more likely as a result of medical prodecures in vitro fertilisation and the implantation of 6 embryos. it is against all scientific odds for them to surivive or for two to split to 4. great they did and theyre all here and going to be great children and adults - like their brave, caring mom. a lack of condom might have produced you - your kids? perhaps you should try it first before you dare to insult 3 month old babies with as much right ot be here wihtout being abused or haveing jokes made about condoms are you would expect for your own kids. oh dear, go away.

[malibu]

Har-de-har-har- how would contraceptives have anything whatsoever to do with octomom? they might have stoppedyou being born but too late. youre here, and we cant tell your mom she should have a line of contraceptives named after her. is that what you want?
suleman did not 'conceive' so the use of contraceptives for sex or reproduction have nothing to do with her pregnancy at any level- it was invitro if you can understand that totally unrelated method at all - and a personal and medical choice to implant so many in order to try to get one child - not an accident if you can understand the difference. try to understand with your brain before you complain.

[CAHOLO]

I am also a single disabled mom. I feel if she can handle taking care of all those children on her own, even with some help, I would say go for it. I receive SSI/SSD and my son receives TANF. I can't work due to my disabilities and I was approved for SSI/SSD before I was even pregnant with my son. He was not planned, but is my miracle child that I love dearly. We have a right to be part of society as a normal person would be, but just because I am disabled & single doesn't mean I can't raise my own children. I also have a friend that is also single and disabled, and she has 3 children and 2 more on the way! As far as I know all the children are fathered by the same man. She receives assistance for herself and her children, since she can't work either. She was found to be disabled after she had her first 2 kids. Her oldest receives SSI for his disability too. Just because were disabled, doesn't mean we are 3rd class citizens and have no rights. The assistance we receive, give us the opportunity to live fruitfull and normal lives. It may not be the way you feel is fruitfull, but it is to us, since we could be on the streets and our children in foster care! Having children is our way to feel better about ourselves and knowing we are contributing to society in one form or another.

[Ipay4u]

CAHOLO... why do I have to pay for you to feel good about yourself? I never had children, and so in a way I am also "disabled", but I have a job and pay taxes. I am sure you're a nice lady, but come on... no one owes you a living or a family.