Interested in a pair of Marlon Brando sunglasses? How about some Brando decorative refrigerator magnets or a mouse pad? Brando shirts, pants, neckwear and underwear? Or would you care to lounge around the house in a Brando kimono?
These are just some of the commercial products the estate of the late, two-time Oscar-winning actor has listed in an application for U.S. trademark protection on file with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Mike Medavoy, a Hollywood producer and co-executor of the Brando estate, said that many items were included in the filing simply as a precautionary measure. He said the intent is to prevent anyone from profiting off the name and image of the reclusive actor without the approval of the Brando estate.
"The last thing I'm going to do is do something that cheapens Marlon's image," Medavoy said. "You want some sort of blanket protection against anyone doing something that basically goes out and steals his image and puts it on a napkin. This way, you can protect against it."
If approved by the trademark office, the trademark application would give the three executors of Brando's will wide latitude to license the manufacturing of many different types of products for sale in the future.
Among other things, the estate seeks trademark protection on such items as bottle openers, key chains, drums, music boxes, post cards, gift wrap, calendars, credit and debit cards, confetti, paper doll books and temporary tattoos, as well as audio/visual recordings and pre-recorded performances and acting lessons.
Although Brando shunned the media and public life, the reclusive actor was well aware of the potential to sell products bearing his image -- and approved of it, those closest to him said. Brando died suddenly on July 1 of lung failure. He was 80.
Brando had set up a trust a few years ago that spelled out how any money made off his name and image will be distributed among his beneficiaries, said David Seeley, the attorney for the estate. Brando did not specify guidelines for the use of his name and image. Seeley said the contents of trusts are private.
The trust is controlled by three co-executors: Medavoy; Medavoy's brother-in-law, Larry Dressler; and Avra Douglas, a friend of Brando's late daughter, Cheyenne. Seeley said the trustees -- and not Brando's beneficiaries, which include his children -- have legal say over what is licensed.
