Singer unsuccessful in bid to register the moniker ‘Queen of Christmas’ after being accused of ‘trademark bullying’
All she wanted for Christmas was a trademark, but Mariah Carey’s effort to ring fence the sobriquet “Queen of Christmas” has been denied by US bureaucrats after a legal challenge accused her of “trademark bullying”.
The singer, a large part of whose music is synonymous with the festive season, has long been known by her preferred nickname. But an attempt to make it legally hers – and therefore ripe for monetisation – has been halted by the US Patent and Trademark Office after a complaint was lodged by another singer.
Ms Carey’s hit, All I Want For Christmas Is You, has charted regularly in the US during the Christmas period since its original release in 1994, and has grossed more than $72 million (£60.5 million) in royalties. Last year, it was streamed one billion times on Spotify alone.
Ms Carey’s album – Merry Christmas – was a mix of covers and originals including, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Silent Night and Jesus Born On This Day.