What word did Kim Kardashian try to trademark?

Asked by: Orlando Kreiger  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (4 votes)

Kim Kardashian tried to trademark the word "Kimono" for her shapewear line, but faced significant backlash for cultural appropriation, leading her to change the brand name to SKIMS after public outcry and criticism from Japan. She had applied for trademarks for "Kimono" for intimates and shapewear, but the public, including the mayor of Kyoto, protested the use of a term with deep cultural significance for traditional Japanese garments.

What did Kim Kardashian try to trademark?

Back in twenty twenty-one Kim filed to trademark Skin by Kim for a new skincare line. But a black owned spa in Brooklyn called Skin Plus had already been using a name since twenty 18. Under US trademark law, it's not about who's more famous. It's about who used the mark first in commerce.

What word did the Kardashians trademark?

Kardashian West, filed four U.S. trademark applications for the word “kimono” in standard characters and in stylized type for goods in International Classes 3, 18, 25, and retail store services in International Class 35.

Did Kim Kardashian try to trademark Kimono?

Kardashian also applied for a wordmark on the word kimono, which is different from a trademark, and some of the wordmarks she applied for have been suspended. If you think of a word as a visual symbol of the brand, you can see why Kardashian applied for a trademark over the word “kimono” as styled in a particular font.

What words cannot be trademarked?

You cannot trademark words that are generic (like "coffee" for coffee), merely descriptive (like "creamy" for yogurt), deceptive, scandalous/offensive, geographically descriptive (unless secondary meaning is proven), or common surnames, because these words must remain free for public use and lack distinctiveness for a single brand, though exceptions exist for surnames like "Disney" with secondary meaning. 

Mr. Tendernism is in TRADEMARK TROUBLE! #tendernism #flakko #trademark

17 related questions found

Is Taylor Swift's name trademarked?

Yes, Taylor Swift has trademarked many aspects of her brand, including her name, album titles, song lyrics, tour names, and even her cats' names, to control commercial use, prevent unauthorized merchandise, and maintain brand integrity, protecting everything from music to apparel and digital content across numerous countries. Her proactive strategy involves trademarking common phrases like "This Sick Beat," tour titles like "The Eras Tour," and even unique terms like "Swiftmas" and "Taylor-Con," securing control over her extensive creative output and brand extensions.
 

What is the rule 37 of trademarks?

Further, Rule 37 of Trade Marks Rules, 2017 states that an applicant for registration of a trademark may, whether before or after acceptance of his application but before the registration of the trademark, apply in Form TM-M accompanied by the prescribed fee for the correction of any error in or in connection with his ...

Why did Kim Kardashian delete Meghan Markle's photos?

Kim Kardashian deleted photos with Meghan Markle from Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party because Meghan and Harry reportedly requested their removal due to concerns about public optics, potentially upsetting the British Royal Family, especially since it was Remembrance weekend, creating a major PR situation for the couple, which reportedly angered Kim. Sources offered conflicting stories, with some citing a lack of consent forms and others claiming the royals simply didn't want the photos shared on the Kardashian's platforms, leading to speculation of tension between Kim and Meghan.
 

Did Kim Kardashian trademark the baby name?

On Wednesday, Kardashian filed to trademark “Psalm West” to sell hair accessories, calendars and books, jewelry, home furnishings, baby supplies, dolls, clothes and more, according to documents obtained from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

How do I see if a word is trademarked?

Check the Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) system for the status of any registered or pending trademarks. TSDR is ONLY available on the USPTO Website. Records retrieved using the Trademark Search database have links to the status information.

Who is richer, Kim K or Taylor Swift?

As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
 

What words did Kylie Jenner trademark?

Kylie sings "rise and shine" to daughter Stormi, the internet explodes. Now she's trademarked it. Read our editor's guess as to why here.

Is Psalm biologically Kims?

Yes, Psalm West is biologically Kim Kardashian's son, but he was carried by a surrogate, meaning Kim provided the egg (through IVF) and Kanye West provided the sperm, but a surrogate carried the pregnancy to term for her two youngest children, including Psalm. Kim has openly discussed using surrogates for Chicago and Psalm due to health complications from her previous pregnancies, and she was involved in the process, including being present for the birth.
 

What is Kylie Jenner diagnosed with?

Kylie Jenner has publicly shared that she deals with chronic back pain since her second pregnancy, leading her to undergo stem cell therapy, and has also discussed struggles with anxiety, while a past health scare involved a diagnosis of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (an eye condition) and possibly an incidental brain aneurysm found on a scan, though she focuses on managing the pain and mental health.
 

Who is richer now, Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian?

Kim Kardashian is significantly richer than Paris Hilton, with a net worth estimated around $1.7 to $1.9 billion, largely due to her successful businesses like Skims, while Paris Hilton's net worth is estimated in the hundreds of millions (around $300 million), stemming from her own ventures and family wealth. 

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

Who is Tracy Romulus to Kim?

Tracy Romulus is Kim Kardashian's best friend, long-time business partner, and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for her KKW Brands (KKW Beauty, Fragrance, Skims), having worked together for nearly two decades, bonding over shared work ethic, and often seen together in personal and professional capacities. She's a PR expert who runs communications and partnerships for Skims and has been a core part of Kardashian's inner circle, even co-launching the Skky private equity firm with Kim.
 

Why is Kylie Jenner's last name not Kardashian?

Kylie's last name isn't Kardashian because she's the daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner), not Robert Kardashian; her older half-siblings (Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Rob) have the Kardashian name from their father, while Kylie and Kendall share the Jenner surname from their father, Bruce. They have different fathers, which is why their last names differ, though they all share Kris Jenner as their mother and have the iconic "K" first names. 

Did Beyonce trademark her daughter's name?

Beyoncé secures brand rights for her daughter's name Blue Ivy. The singer Beyoncé recently won the TTAB – Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which granted her rights to the brand name of her eight-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

What nickname does King Charles call Meghan Markle?

King Charles III's nickname for Meghan Markle was reportedly "Tungsten," a compliment reflecting her toughness, strength, and resilience, similar to the hard metal, especially noted during her first royal engagements before her wedding to Prince Harry. This nickname, revealed in royal expert Katie Nicholl's book The New Royals, highlighted her strong character and backbone, which Charles admired, according to sources. 

Who are Archie's biological parents?

Birth, family and infancy

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at 05:26 (BST) (04:26 UTC) on 6 May 2019 at Portland Hospital in London. He is the first child of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Unlike previous royal births, there was no immediate photocall on the hospital steps.

How long does a trademark last?

Trademarks do not have expiration dates.

A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with a potentially unlimited number of 10-year renewal terms. So, every 10 years, the owner of a federal trademark registration must renew it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Which is better, TM or R?

Use ™ (TM) for an unregistered trademark to claim rights to a brand name or logo in commerce, signaling you intend to own it; use ® (R in a circle) only after your trademark has been officially registered with a national patent and trademark office (like the USPTO) for full legal protection and nationwide rights. Using ® prematurely is misleading, while ™ establishes your common law rights and deters infringement before formal registration. 

What are the 7 types of trademarks?

There isn't one definitive list of exactly seven types, but common categories focus on the nature of the mark (Word, Logo/Device, Shape, Color, Sound, Scent, Motion/Pattern) and the strength/function (Fanciful, Arbitrary, Suggestive, Descriptive, Generic, Service, Certification, Collective). Key types include Word Marks, Device Marks, Service Marks, Certification Marks, Sound Marks, Shape Marks, and Color Marks, often grouped under broader categories like "Unconventional" or "Non-Traditional" trademarks.