17/12/2024
The first UK and Ireland TikTok Awards show took place earlier this month on 3rd December. With over 3 million votes cast by TikTok users who were keen to see their favourite creator win, it was undoubtedly an event awaited on by many!
Considering the commercial scope that TikTok can offer creators, it is always interesting to see what they are doing behind the scenes to develop and maintain their career. It is no surprise that many of the nominees and winners have applied for trade mark protection as they seek to monetize their popularity by establishing a brand for their TikTok persona. We take a look below at some of the trade mark registrations belonging to the winners. We believe many more creators will follow in their footsteps given the importance of maintaining and protecting their image they have worked so hard build.
Education Creator of the Year: Emmanuel Wallace @big.manny1
Big Manny has been registered in the UK for “media content” in Class 9.
Travel Creator of the Year: Ryan Losasso & Jade Beaty @live_thedash
Live The Dash has been registered in the UK for services including “entertainment” and “video production” in Class 41, and “advertising and marketing services provided by means of social media” in Class 35.
High Quality Creator of the Year: Miles Laflin @thepoolguy
The Pool Guy has been registered for goods including “clothing for leisure wear” in Class 25 and services “swimming pool maintenance” in Class 37.
Trade mark registrations like those listed above are helpful for creators. Registered protection can provide the owner with the grounds to bring actions against unauthorised third parties seeking to take advantage of their name and/or image on social media and elsewhere. They can also form the foundation for a licensing programme. Miles Laffin (The Pool Guy) is a prime example. Laffin started on TikTok by creating videos of him cleaning swimming pools. He is now utilising his popularity to sell various goods and merchandise, including socks, t-shirts and hoodies via his website under the brand The Pool Guy.
We are keeping a watchful eye on these emerging TikTok stars and the steps they may take to extend their protection to cover further goods and services. We may also expect these creators to expand into further jurisdictions, especially as their popularity grows following their wins at the UK and Ireland TikTok Awards 2024.
If you are considering protecting your online image and/or brand, or have any questions in relation to intellectual property protection, please do get in contact.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
