Mexican cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been all over the news since his escape from prison and his recent arrest. Apparetly, El Chapo’s family wanted his name to appear on more than newspaper headlines and wanted posters.
According to The Guardian, his family reportedly tried to trademark his name to sell merchandise, such as clothing, watches, walking canes and Christmas tree ornaments. Guzman’s lawyers also tried to trademark his name as part of a plan to make a film about his life story (which ended up leading to his capture).
His lawyers filed papers with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) to register the name El Chapo Guzman for the film, but the IMPI rejected the request. Guzman’s daughter filed with the IMPI in 2010 and 2011 to trademark the names Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and El Chapo Guzman.
Family members and lawyers filed a series of 12 requests to register the names for merchandise, including hats, toys, sporting goods and saddlery. The IMPI rejected all of the trademark requests on the grounds that Guzman was a wanted criminal.
