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Comedian and star of My Wife and Kids Damon Wayans would like to branch out into the apparel business, but first he just needs to get over the small hurdle of trademarking his proposed company name:

The actor Damon Wayans has been engaged in a 14-month fight to trademark the term "Nigga" for a clothing line and retail store, a search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's online database reveals.


Wayans wants to dress customers in 14 kinds of attire from tops to bottoms, and use the controversial mark on "clothing, books, music and general merchandise," as well as movies, TV and the internet, according to his applications.

But, so far, his applications have been unsuccessful. Trademark examiner Kelly Boulton rejected the registration dated Dec. 22, citing a law that prohibits marks that are "immoral or scandalous." A previous attempt by Wayans was turned down on identical grounds six months earlier.

A similar case is currently being heard in Berlin, where German trademark officials have twice now rejected a petition to register a new line of casual wear called "J den Jeans" on the grounds that the name and its tagline "The ones with the little yellow star!" could be construed as offensive to some.