More Than a Vote Files Another Trademark Application
On September 19, 2020, More Than a Vote, Inc. filed another trademark application, this time for the phrase “Change Isn’t Made by Watching From the Sidelines”.
The organization, which aims to combat voter suppression in the Black community, is a collective of athletes and artists founded this year. The organization received national recognition when the Lakers’ star NBA player, LeBron James, spoke out in support of the movement. Among the other big names who have supported the movement are comedian Kevin Hart and football player Odell Beckham Jr.
The organization’s goal is to increase voter participation in the Black community and eradicate the barriers that have prevented Black voters from making their voice heard in American politics for hundreds of years. Specifically, More Than a Vote is zeroing in on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the upcoming presidential election, and the effect the quarantine and stay-at-home orders will have on voter access in the Black community.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Black Americans, who are getting sicker and dying at a higher rate than white Americans. The mortality rate for COVID-19 related deaths is 2.4 higher for Black people than white people. This discrepancy is due to a variety of factors, including limited access to healthcare for the Black community. Additionally, the overrepresentation of Black workers in the service industry has resulted in increased exposure and the inability to follow CDC recommended social distancing guidelines.
More Than a Vote is devoted to creating safe, socially distanced voting centers for Black Americans so that nobody has to put their life at risk in order to cast a vote. The project is in collaboration with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
If the organization’s trademark application is approved, they will have exclusive rights to use the phrase in conjunction with the sale of stickers, duffel bags, tote bags, water bottles, clothing, and masks.
The trademark application is currently awaiting review by an examining attorney. If an examining attorney approves the application, the application will be published for opposition. At that time, other businesses may come forward to file a trademark opposition. If none is filed, the application will proceed toward registration.
