Netflix has reportedly snagged the global trademark rights to "Space Force"—the title of a new streaming comedy and the youngest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix called dibs on "Space Force" in Europe, Australia, Mexico, and "elsewhere" as early as January 2019, while the Air Force merely owns a pending application for registration in the United States. "Meaning that the feds have gotten a place in line but no confirmed trademark rights thus far," the news site said.
This isn't actually a problem for the US Armed Forces as each organization can go about their merry way without much confusion. The issue arises, however, if and when the two start "trafficking in similar products," THR said. Trademarks are necessary when launching a "Space Force" clothing line, for instance.
"At this time, we are not aware of any trademark conflicts with the fictional program Space Force produced by Netflix," an Air Force spokesperson told THR. "We wish Netflix and the show's producers the best in their creative depiction of our nation's newest branch of the military." Netflix did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.
Netflix was quick to piggyback on the U.S. Space Force, established in December 2019 with the authority to "organize, train, and equip military space forces … to ensure unfettered access to, and freedom to operate in space, and to provide virtual capabilities to joint and coalition forces in peacetime and across the spectrum of conflict."
The Office showrunner Greg Daniels and topliner Steve Carell wasted no time convening an all-star cast (including John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, and Lisa Kudrow) for half-hour comedy series Space Force, available now on Netflix. The show satirizes Trump's real-life creation of another armed service, which embarked on its first mission in March.
Further Reading
- Cloudflare Teases 24/7 Streaming Channel With Game Shows, Cooking Programs
- AMC Theatres Has 'Substantial Doubts' It'll Survive the Pandemic
- Grab the Popcorn: Hulu Watch Party Lets You Stream With Friends
- HBO Quits Apple TV Channels as HBO Max Launches
- More in Video Streaming Services