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Donald Trump Is Making Very Classy Money Off Trademarking "Central Park"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 6, 2015
Modified Dec 6, 2015
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 6, 2015
Modified Dec 6, 2015
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While Donald Trump was busy this weekend vowing to murder women and forgetting the details of 9/11, AP had a very interesting report about one of Trump's sources of income: Central Park.
It seems that Trump first applied in 1991 for a trademark to use the words "Central Park" on merchandise more than two decades ago, and has since used the nonexclusive trademark to brand furniture, chandeliers, pillows and even key chains. Considering that Trump made the move when the city's crime rate was near its height, and Central Park was terrifying for many (outside of Paul Simon concerts), AP is right to note this was "undeniably a savvy move."
(Among other things, Trump also trademarked "Westchester" and "Fifth Avenue.")
It's unclear exactly how much Trump has earned from the trademark, but his spokesperson touted his Central Park bonafides: "Mr. Trump, over the course of his career, has owned and developed some of the most iconic buildings in the city, many of which...sit only footsteps away from Central Park," said Alan Garten, executive vice president and general counsel to The Trump Organization.
Trump can't use the official park logo on his items, but otherwise, if you see a throw pillow with "Central Park" on it and think it'll make a nice stocking stuffer, just keep in mind you'd probably be putting money in Trump's pocket. Mayor de Blasio's office didn't sound pleased to learn about this: "Nobody has ownership of the words 'Central Park.' It is a public space, with a city-owned logo," said Monica Klein, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio. "When individuals or companies attempt to infringe on city-owned trademarks, we take appropriate legal actions."
But de Blasio, of course, is no fan of Trump in general. He released the statement below after Trump's very awkward reception at the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting last week.
As the New York Times makes clear today in a front page article, Donald Trump will go down as one of the worst demagogues in recent U.S. political history. His latest comments last week to a mostly Jewish audience are an example. Based on hateful stereotypes of the Jewish community, they simply have no place in our society. As with other shameful outbursts he has had about many ethnic groups, they are nothing short of dangerous. Others, including myself, have spoken out when political leaders in Europe have not risen to the defense of their embattled Jewish communities. It is equally important to call out American leaders who traffic in age-old negative characterizations of Jews. We should demand from our presidential candidates a standard that in no way echoes the voice of a George Wallace or Joe McCarthy.
Tagged
trademark
donald trump is a fuckface
donald trump
central park
money
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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