"Obama Bin Laden" Trademark Rejected

(AP)  Alexandre Batlle's attempt to trademark an unusual name that could sell T-shirts has been given a thumbs-down by the government.

The name? "Obama bin Laden."

Batlle's trademark application was rejected because it made false connections between Osama bin Laden and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and contained "immoral or scandalous matter," according to Karen Bush, a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office lawyer.

Batlle has six months to appeal the decision.

Batlle, who paid $325 for the application, continues to sell T-shirts and mugs with the name "Obama bin Laden" on his Web site. He is expecting sales to pick up during the 2008 presidential campaign. The Illinois senator is bidding to become the first African-American to be elected president.

Before the name can be approved as a trademark, Batlle, of Miami Beach, needs permission from both bin Laden and Obama, Bush said.

Batlle said he did not intend to offend anyone — and he considers himself more Democrat than Republican. "I'm not trying to say Obama's a terrorist. It was something I talked about with my friends, and we all had a good laugh about it."

[alleyoop73]

I prefer "Obama-Bin-Lyin", myself.

[alleyoop73]

I prefer "Obama-Bin-Lyin", myself.

[j4401]

Come on give Mr. Obama a break. Why would anyone want to confuse people like this? It is quite ridiculous.

[warblitz4]

Carl Rove would have thought of "Obama bin Laden" eventually. Maybe he leaked it to Alexandre Battle.

[gunownerdan]

huskerarmy,
The right and the left are full of brain dead jackasses and they all seem to be running for president.

[huskerarmy]

"It was something I talked about with my friends, and we all had a good laugh about it."

That's right... play up the stereotypes, plant the seeds of distrust, contribute to the continued environment of mistrust among American subcultures. That's funny stuff alright...

[huskerarmy]

"Barack Hussein Obama seems to be ashamed of his middle name. Is he related to Saddam or something?"
Dan,
Would it make you happy if he called himself Hussein, despite never going by that name in his past, just so as to accomodate you and your racist, fascist, stereotype implications that he's a genetically programmed, undercover terrorist? The real question here is just how much of a brain dead jackass can you and those of your ilk on the right be?

[antoniof123]

The only problem now is that we are sick and tired of the lies from the Republicans and even now many are leaving the ranks so by the time that this group finally realizes that it is over I hope it will be too late for the party. They have lied and cheated America and now they want us to still listen to them. I for one will never listen to them again nor will I let anyone forget how and what they did to this country.

[karlimhof]

SHURCH4TRUTH

i agree - Bush is a morally flawed man. Death is an abstract idea for him - fighting terror more real. He easily reconciles others dying for his self-proclaimed "mission". In a way, he is Islamic in his thinking - as he's a fervent Christian he believes that his valliant soldiers are going to heaven - and he has given them the keys to the Kingdom.

[migrainegram]

"Alexandre Batlle's attempt to trademark an unusual name that could sell T-shirts has been given a thumbs-down by the government."

T-shirt designed for Mr. Batlle and his friends:

"I have no common sense."