The Washington Post Speaks with Josh Gerben About Usain Bolt’s New Trademark Applications

The Washington Post Speaks with Josh Gerben About Usain Bolt’s New Trademark Applications

The Washington Post and Josh Gerben discuss why Bolt may be protecting his likeness now.
“This is not Usain Bolt’s first application for his victory pose,” Washington-based trademark lawyer Josh Gerben told The Washington Post in an email. “He had obtained a trademark registration for the logo back in 2009 for a variety of products, but that registration was canceled in 2017 because Bolt did not file proof he was actually using the trademark to sell goods in the United States (which is a requirement to maintain a federal trademark registration).”

According to Gerben, the new application shows “a renewed effort by Bolt to protect his image and likeness here in the United States” as he focuses “more on business ventures in retirement.”

“While it has been a while since Bolt retired, it is possible he is starting to look more closely at business opportunities,” Gerben said. “Ensuring that his famous ‘victory pose’ is protected with a federal trademark registration would be an important step to unlocking value in Bolt’s brand.”

Source: Boren, Cindy. https://www.washingtopost.com/. “Usain Bolt files trademark application for his iconic victory pose.” 24 August 2022.