Three-time Academy Award winning actress Meryl Streep has reportedly filed an application to trademark her name to prevent it from being misused for commercial gain. The actress reportedly filed the application at the US Patent and Trademark Office on January 22, requesting that the name Meryl Streep be trademarked for entertainment services, movie appearances, speaking engagements and autographs. TMZ.com said the actress has paid $275 for the application.
In a career spanning more than four decades, Streep has earned a record-breaking 21 Oscar nominations, most recently for her performance in Steven Spielberg’s The Post. The actress has also received 31 Golden Globe nominations, winning eight.
While it is common for actors to apply for trademarks to protect their intellectual property or to earn money from products bearing their name, the reason behind Streep’s decision remains unclear. A BBC report pointed out that most celebrities tend to apply for such rights early on in their career.
Paris Hilton, Taylor Swift, 50 Cent and David and Victoria Beckham are among the celebrities who previously applied to trademark their names, catchphrases or song lyrics.
Incidentally, Meryl Streep is the actress’s stage name. She was originally christened Mary Louise Streep.