At a time when America was burying its tragically passed away citizen in a golden coffin, the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office received two trademark applications at once – BLACK LIVES MATTER and I CAN’T BREATHE.These two phrases are related to ongoing protests around the world following the death of U.S. citizen George Floyd, who became a symbol of the fight against racism.

Applications were filed by British businessman Georgios Demetriou. He said he planned to create a non-profit organization to help disadvantaged children.

If the registration of these marks is approved, he will collect a license fee from organizations that use these TMs in the UK.

Several similar applications have recently been filed in the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. They look like this – “George Floyd” and “I can’t breathe”.

Of course, if the trademarks are ever registered, their owner will have to ensure that their rights to them are fully respected, including protection against unauthorized use by third parties.

For this purpose, Demetriou is ready to hire a team of lawyers specializing in trademark protection.”I will allow other organizations to use them as long as they pay royalties to charity,” he adds.
“As soon as I get these trademarks, I will prove that charity is as effective as business, and we will see what is right … I don’t want these terms to be fashionable, I want them to change lives”