Joe the Plumber May Have a Trademark Problem

The current political climate has referred much to "Joe the Plumber." The PTO records indicate that there is in fact a current federal trademark registration for "BIG JOE THE PLUMBER" for use in connection with plumbing contracting services. The claimed first use date of that trademark is a little suspect, 1916. Really?




Word Mark BIG JOE THE PLUMBER
Goods and Services IC 037. US 100 103 106. G & S: plumbing contractor. FIRST USE: 19160000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19160000
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 75087644
Filing Date April 15, 1996
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition January 21, 1997
Registration Number 2052523
Registration Date April 15, 1997
Owner (REGISTRANT) Big Joe the Plumber, Inc. CORPORATION ILLINOIS 2115 20th Avenue Rockford ILLINOIS 61104
(LAST LISTED OWNER) BENNETT, VICKIE MS. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 2115 20TH AVENUE ROCKFORD ILLINOIS 61104

(LAST LISTED OWNER) KOFOED, TIMM MR. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 2115 20TH AVENUE ROCKFORD ILLINOIS 61104

Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record NANCY GRIMME SCHILLING
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE "THE PLUMBER" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20060924.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20060924
Other Data The nickname "BIG JOE" does not identify a living person.
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE