Donald Trump is reportedly looking to establish a mobile network and a phone bearing his name. DTTM Operations LLC, the firm managing his trademarks, has submitted applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the use of “Trump” and “T1” in relation to telecommunications, mobile accessories, and mobile phones.
Filed last Thursday, the applications encompass a variety of products, including wireless phone services, mobile devices, cases, chargers, and retail outlets for their sale. Although a trademark application doesn’t guarantee an impending launch of a Trump-branded mobile network, it does indicate a serious intention. Patent attorney Josh Gerben noted in a blog post that the detailed nature of the applications suggests genuine plans to enter the market, as Trump’s lawyer would have signed a declaration affirming this commitment.
The prospect of Trump entering the telecommunications field may not be without challenges. Gerben highlighted potential issues with T-Mobile, which might object to the application due to possible trademark infringement related to the “T1” name. Furthermore, there remains the question of how Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr would regulate a network linked to his administration.
Trump is not alone in eyeing the telecom sector. Recently, Ryan Reynolds divested his stake in Mint Mobile to T-Mobile, while last week saw the launch of SmartLess Mobile, a new venture from the podcast hosted by actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes.