Stephen Hawking Applies To Trademark His Name

Professor Stephen Hawking, the world-famous English physicist, has applied to trademark his name at the Intellectual Property Office.

Also, Physicist Brian Cox, professor of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, has applied for the trademark of his name.

A spokesman for the University of Cambridge in an interview with the Sunday Times said that the application sent by Prof. Hawking is a personal matter for professor.

He further said that it is not a university issue, but he has taken some measures to protect his name and the success it has brought to him.

Professor Hawking who is famous both in the scientific world and among lay people globally has made two submissions for trademark, one that focuses on computer software/hardware and electronic equipment in general, and another aimed at books and publications.

He has starred either in person, via his synthesized voice or as a hologram in scores of TV shows and films. His trademarked artificial voice was featured in the biographical 2014 Oscar-winning movie 'The Theory of Everything'.

Also in 1993, Prof. Hawking appeared as a holographic simulation of himself in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Hawking has also appeared in The Big bang Theory and The Simpsons.

The name 'Stephen Hawking' or the person has also been used several times in advertising campaigns to promote Specsavers, National Savings, Egg Banking, Go Compare, British Telecom, and a powered wheelchair.

His name has also been featured in hundreds of products worldwide, including T-shirts, mugs and even men's underpants.

Prof. Hawking also wants to stop people and businesses from exploiting his name with inappropriate products.

Getting one's name trademarked is not a new thing as the famous footballer David Beckham and J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter author) have already taken trademark for their names.