(Publ. 5 FEB 2020) The Swedish climate activist and opinion marker Greta Thunberg has filed trademark applications to protect her own personal name as well as the two names of her movement “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (Swedish for “School strike for the climate”) and “Fridays for future”. Through her Instagram account she spoke on why she decided to file these applications.

In August 2018 Thunberg initiated a sitting strike outside The Swedish Parliament House, proclaiming the text “Skolstrejk för klimatet” on a placard. This action has since then inspired young people in many countries to hold similar demonstrations, however internationally often called Fridays for future. Since then, Thunberg has become one of the most significant opinion makers of our time regarding climate change. She has been invited to speak at the UN and the Davos World Economic Forum, and was also named as “Person of the Year 2019” by Time magazine.

On 29 January 2020 Thunberg informed via her Instagram account that she has filed trademark applications to protect her personal name and both the names of her movement. Thunberg stated that this was to face the issue with people pretending to represent her or her movement in a deceptive way. She urged everyone to pay attention to this problem and by filing the trademark applications, Thunberg wanted to prevent others from using the names commercially. At the same time, she pointed out that Fridays for future is a global movement that she has founded, but which belongs to everyone who participates in it. She also announced that she has started a foundation.

From searching public databases it is noted that The Greta Thunberg and Beata Ernman Foundation has filed three EU trademark applications on 23 December 2019 to the EUIPO. These applications were:

• the word mark GRETA THUNBERG  
• the word mark FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE
• a figurative mark for the logotype SKOLSTREJK FÖR KLIMATET

All three applications were filed in the following trademark classes:

• 35, commercial and office services
• 36, financial services
• 41, teaching and education
• 42, scientific and technological services

The trademark applications have been published by the EUIPO on 23 January 2020 and is now open for oppositions for a period of three months; ending on 24 April 2020. If the opposition period expires without any oppositions being filed by a third party, the applications will be granted and become registered trademarks within the EU.