Rousey files for “DNB” trademark for apparel

Ronda Rousey has filed to trademark “Do Nothing B—-“ and “DNB,” the acronym for her new venture.  The trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office were filed on August 3^rd by Rousey’s trademark attorney, Deborah Greaves.

The trademark DNB will be for “Headwear; Hooded sweatshirts; Sweatshirts; T-shirts” according to the application filed with the USPTO.

DNB is the acronym for “Do Nothing Bitch,” a phrase Rousey coined in leadup to her fight at UFC 190 with Beth Corriea.

Rousey sold DNB t-shirts with a portion of the proceeds going to nonprofit Didi Hirsch 501c3 for their work in mental health services & for women with body image issues.

Just landed back in LA from Rio and I’m shocked and moved to see so many of you getting behind my represent.com/ronda campaign. You already know how much this message means to me, and it’s heartwarming that it means something to so many of you too. To say thanks, I’ll be sending some signed shirts to buyers at random in 24 hours! Get your shirt at represent.com/ronda (link in bio!)

A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Aug 7, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

The initial goal of the t-shirts (at $24.99 each) were to sell 1,000 but it appears that they have sold 56,798 as the date of this writing.

Payout Perspective:

Both trademark filings will take at least 3 months before they are assigned to a trademark examiner that will assess the marks to see if there is a likelihood of confusion with any other marks as well determine whether they pass other tests.  “Do Nothing B—“ might face scrutiny since the term “b—-“ may be considered “scandalous, offensive or immoral.”  That is likely a judgment call by the examiner and Rousey’s attorney could challenge an adverse ruling.

There are other “DNB” trademarks but they appear to be in other industries (i.e., they are not selling t-shirts, etc.) so it may be unlikely that “DNB” gets stopped due to the other holders of the DNB trademark.  If the examiner deems it worthy of a trademark there will be a period in which it will be open to the public to view it and file any objections to the mark.  If no objections, Rousey will own the “DNB” trademark with respect to clothing.  Based on the trademark we may see more clothing coming out under this brand or perhaps she will guard against anyone attempting to make money off her trademark.

Its not the first time that athletes have trademarked phrases based on things that come up during interviews or while in action.  For WWE fans, the company filed for a trademark of “Suplex City” with the USPTO the day after Wrestlemania this year after Brock Lesnar yelled it out during his main event match.