Snoop Dogg’s bid to trademark his signature catchphrase has gone up in smoke, per complex.com. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected the rapper’s application for the phrase “Smoke Weed Everyday,” ruling it too common to serve as a unique brand identifier.
In a notice issued on March 10, trademark examiners argued that the line, immortalised by Nate Dogg in the 2001 classic “The Next Episode,” has transcended the artist to become a general cultural slogan. Because the phrase is already plastered across vast amounts of unofficial merchandise, from t-shirts to glassware, officials concluded that consumers view it as a “widely used message” rather than a specific brand name.
The application, intended for cannabis retail services and dispensaries, faced a secondary legal roadblock: federal law. While many US states have legalised recreational marijuana, it remains illegal at the federal level. Consequently, the USPTO noted that certain cannabis-related activities do not currently qualify for federal trademark protection.
Despite the setback, the hip-hop mogul isn’t completely empty-handed. While the full phrase was rejected, Snoop’s acronym brand, S.W.E.D. (Smoke Weed Every Day), has reportedly received preliminary approval. He currently operates a dispensary under this moniker in Los Angeles and a coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
The ruling does not stop Snoop from using the original phrase commercially; it simply means he cannot sue others for using it. The rapper now has the option to appeal the decision or respond to the examining attorney to keep the bid alive.
