It was fun while it lasted.

news item:

Palin, Daughter try to trademark names

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sarah Palin is attempting to trademark her name ahead of a possible 2012 presidential run.

The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate filed paperwork with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November to register the trademark.

The federal office is seeking more information and examples of usage. The office is also seeking additional details for the application submitted in September by Palin's daughter, Bristol, a contestant on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" last year.

Palin's attorney, John J. Tiemessen, said Friday that he has six months to provide the information.

"We are preparing to respond to all their questions for both," he said.

Herewith are examples of possible usage:

This just in...

An application by Sarah Palin to trademark her name has been turned down by US officials.

Mike Bradbury, Sky News Online

The former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate filed paperwork with the US Patent and Trademark Office in November.

But it emerged over the weekend that the application to register her name for "motivational speaking services" has been rejected.

According to the official record, the bid, filed by her lawyer, was rejected on the grounds that she failed to personally sign the application.

The records also show that two examples she had given supporting her application were "not acceptable".

Her application specimens were a story from Fox News saying she had been hired as a contributor for the network and postings about herself on Facebook.

According to the official record the specimens "are not acceptable because they do not show use of the applied-for mark in connection with any of the services specified in the application".

An application to trademark the name of Palin's daughter Bristol was also filed on November 5 by their family lawyer Thomas Van Flein.

That has also been refused because it did not have a signature.

- - -

Another great news story and late-night punchline sucked into the vortex and gone into the darkened halls of trivia, all because they didn't sign the applications!