Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch, who "captured the nation’s attention during Super Bowl week by repeatedly answering media questions with variations of the comment 'I’m just here so I won’t get fined,'" last week "filed a formal trademark application to own that sentence," according to Mike Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. Lynch "has a growing stable of pending and approved trademarks, mostly related to his 'Beast Mode' product line that he wants retailers to sell around the country." He "first filed to trademark the 'Beast Mode' term at the end of his rookie season" in '08. In his latest trademark application, Lynch "seeks to control apparel sold with the words 'I’m just here so I won’t get fined.'" The filing states that protection "includes shirts, hats, beanies, hooded sweatshirts and more." This "isn’t the first time Lynch has turned a Super Bowl remark into a trademark." Last year, he "summarized his reluctance to do interviews by saying, 'I’m just about that action, boss.'" He later "applied to trademark 'About That Action Boss' and is selling apparel with that phrase on his website" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/24). Former Nike apparel designer Chris Bevans, who runs Lynch's "Beast Mode" apparel line, said, "We heard from our fans and so many of them were saying that they wanted that phrase on the clothing. This is just listening to the marketplace." He added that the phrase "will appear on shirts and sweatshirts on the Beast Mode website within the next month." ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported the label "will also debut a new shoe line in partnership with high-end shoe designer Jon Buscemi." Bevans said that the shoes, "which will be made in Italy, will retail for $180." Lynch "had only filed for a trademark on his now familiar 'B' logo that adorned his hats during Super Bowl week to be used on candy products and non-alcoholic beverages." He trademarked the logo two weeks before Super Bowl XLIX "with the intent to use it on clothing, headphones, sunglasses and duffel bags, among other products" (ESPN.com, 2/23).
