Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

German Wants to Trademark "Freedom Tower" Condoms


By

John Del Signore

Published Jan 2, 2009

Modified Jan 2, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

John Del Signore

Published Jan 2, 2009

Modified Jan 2, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

A German entrepreneur is applying for a federal trademark to use the Freedom Tower to market a line of condoms; the proposed slogan would be "Freedom Tower: Make Love Not War." What, was "Grind Zero" taken? The Post says 9/11 families are "howling" over the proposed rubber, though they only get a quote from Jack Lynch, whose firefighter son died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001: "I find it very offensive. The idea that anyone would use something associated with 9/11 to promote any product is upsetting. But to promote condoms, that goes a step beyond." According to the article, the Port Authority, which owns the tower, is "scrambling to block" the application. If he does get the patent, the entrepreneurial German better hope his prophylactic resembles the Freedom Tower in name only, because so far nobody's been able to get that building up. Hey-oh!

Tagged

9/11

condom

freedom tour

patent

rubber

trademark


John Del Signore

Twitter

Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors

Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.

By

Ryan Kost

Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET


NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal

Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."

By

Elizabeth Kim

News

NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal

Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."

By

Elizabeth Kim


NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting

By

Charles Lane

Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds

By

Samantha Max

MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens

By

Ramsey Khalifeh


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .