NEW YORK, Feb 17 (AFP) - Immigrant-rich New York wants to be known as the world's second home, and is applying for trademark protection to ensure that no other city tries to steal the idea.
In an application currently pending approval by the US Patent and Trademark Office, the city is requesting the exclusive right to use the slogan on a list of around 200 products, from suspenders and maternity tops to hand-held mirrors and disposable paper baby bibs.
If approved, the city would have the right to append the words "The World's Second Home" on all the items and, more importantly, prevent any other city from following suit.
Trademark application 784847514 notably envisages using the slogan to promote "sport competitions" -- suggesting that the phrase would be put to extensive use if New York is successful with its 2012 Olympic Games bid.
Among the other items on the list are mouse pads, walking sticks, bean bag chairs, drinking straws and even temporary tattoos.
City officials clearly hope the slogan will have the same appeal as the "I (heart) NY" catchphrase which was coined in the 1970s and has adorned the front of countless T-shirts and baseball hats ever since.
02/17/2005 16:41 GMT - AFP