Los Angeles – After we blogged earlier this week about Disney applying to trademark “Seal Team 6” in order to capitalize on the heroism of the Navy Seals that were responsible for killing bin Laden, it quickly did an about-face by filing express abandonments for all three trademark applications. 

Apparently, Disney received a bit of scrutiny over its efforts to snatch up the trademark of a name that essentially belongs to the American people.  According to the Wall Street Journal, Disney pulled the trademark applications “out of deference to the Navy.”  Disney undoubtedly made the decision to withdraw the applications in order to protect its reputation with consumers.  

We wouldn’t recommend that any military personnel attempt to register the trademark either.  A Navy spokesman offered this: “We are fully committed to protecting our trademark rights,” stated Commander Danny Hernandez, the chief Navy spokesman.  The Department of Defense also regulates soldiers’ use of military insignia for commercial use unless specifically authorized.  The regulations state:

“Department of Defense employees, their immediate families, and veterans have an implied license to use the Air Force symbol on personal items such as welcome home T-shirts, cakes, personalized candies, crafts and custom-made gifts.  However, these items must not be created for sale, advertising or potential endorsements.  Department of Defense employees, their families and veterans are required to get a license if they have a company, small business or hobby that intends to sell products bearing any Air Force trademark.”

Though the Navy has this application that it filed for Seal Team, it will still have to fight off four other trademark applications for Seal Team 6 filed by various other entities also attempting to capitalize on the phrase.