The next time someone posts a picture of themselves in a prayerful pose like that of Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, there might well be a copyright infringement.
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website, there are currently 10 trademark requests listed related to “Tebowing,” three of which are “Dead” and seven of which are currently “Alive.” Those currently active were filed by XV Enterprises Limited based out of Denver, Colo., the marketing arm of Tebow. The attorney of record is patent and trademark specialist Anthony Keats of California.
Metro New York reached out to both XV Enterprises and Keats and did not receive a reply.
When asked about the approval of the “Tebowing” trademark and his application for what the reporter called a “patent,” Tebow laughingly answered with “I did?”
“I knew that is stuff that had been talked about, but I didn’t know everything had gone through,” Tebow said.
The “Tebowing” phenomenon began last fall, a tribute to his prayerful posture on one knee with his clenched fist on his forehead. It became an internet sensation with everyone taking photos of themselves “Tebowing,” in large part a tribute to the evangelical Christian Tebow and his outspoken faith.
But “Tebowing” merchandise also popped up on the market, exploiting the passionate fan base for all things dealing with the Jets quarterback.
According to the patent office website, the “Goods and Services” listed for the seven active filings include “Hats; Shirts; T-shirts” for one filing, “Jewelry, clocks, watches; cuff links, tie pins, ornamental pins, holiday ornaments of precious metal” on another filing and even “paper plates” in another.
It isn’t about the money though as Tebow said he wants to protect the integrity of what spawned the movement: his belief in prayer.
“I knew it was something that was cool for me in the past but it’s not something I do as ‘Tebowing’ it’s something I do that’s prayer for me and it got hyped as ‘Tebowing,’” Tebow said. “I think one, more to control how it’s used as well. Make sure it’s used in the right way.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
