WikiLeaks figurehead attempts to trademark his name
Julian Assange, the world’s most media savvy Australian, is looking to cash in on his worldwide notoriety by trademarking the name “Julian Assange”.
Driving the unorthodox move is Assange’s desire to protect his monicker from unauthorised public speaking and entertainment services.
An official application to assume rights over the title was made on February 14 via the whistleblower’s London based law firm, Finers Stephens Innocent. If successful Assange will own the trademark for sole use in “journalism”, “education”, “news reporting” and “publication of texts other than publicity material”.
The move follows similar attempts by the controversial US politician Sarah Palin to trademark her own name and comes as Assange awaits the verdict of his appeal against extradition to Sweden on rape charges this Thursday.