(NOTE: Originally published 2014 on the Old IGN Blogs
A number of years ago I remember reading about how Donald Trump, the rich toupee’d guy and host of The Apprentice, tried to copyright the phrase “You’re fired.” An obviously ludicrous idea to pursue, considering that people have been fired ever since the world’s oldest profession, prostitution, came about.
(Is “toupee’d even a word? Well it is now!)
How someone can come up with the idea that they can copy a common phrase is something that has always baffled me. But now Nintendo is trying to copy another phrase. That phrase?
“It’s on like Donkey Kong!”
Taken directly from Nintendo’s website:
“In honor of the upcoming Nov. 21 launch of Donkey Kong Country™ Returns for the Wii™ console, Nintendo has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the pop-culture phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” For those unfamiliar with the term, “It’s on like Donkey Kong” is an old, popular Nintendo phrase that has a number of possible interpretations depending on how it’s used. In addition to Nintendo’s use, it has been used in popular music, television and film over the years, pointing to Donkey Kong’s status as an enduring pop-culture icon and video game superstar. Donkey Kong™ is one of the oldest and most recognizable video game characters. He has been a pop-culture icon since the launch of his 1981 self-titled arcade game. Donkey Kong again rose to prominence in the 1994 Super NES™ game Donkey Kong Country. His new game, Donkey Kong Country Returns, marks his triumphant return in a new side-scrolling adventure with new challenges amid a beautiful setting. The game features the first simultaneous cooperative game-play mode for the series, with one player controlling Donkey Kong and the other controlling his agile pal, Diddy Kong™. On Nov. 21, It’s on like Donkey Kong!”
Personally I don’t think this is a good move on Nintendo’s part. As they already know, the phrase has been used for a long time in everyday life. They even acknowledge it in their trademark announcement. I happen to think this is a pretty douchey move on their part.
So why do they think this is such a good idea?
What do you guys think about this? Should Nintendo be allowed to copyright the phrase
(Note: Nintendo successfully trademarked the phrase a couple years after filing.)
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