Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol want to trademark their names – a legal action more typical of celebrity figures in sports, fashion, and entertainment. As well-paid "motivational speakers," they've already made their mark.

Thomas Van Flein, an attorney and close advisor to the Palin family, submitted the application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 5 of last year, just one day after the mid-term elections. Sarah Palin's application shows that she wants to register her name as a trademark for two commercial services: "information about political elections" and "providing a website featuring information about political issues."

Sarah and Bristol Palin's applications have hit a few roadblocks since they were submitted. Both women failed to submit their signatures, which would show written consent that that they want their names to be trademarked.

Secondly, the examples submitted of how Palin's name is already being used for commercial purposes were rejected by the judge evaluating the application.

Palin submitted a Fox New article about her role as a Fox News contributor to prove the commercial use of her name for "information about political elections." She submitted a screen shot of her Facebook page to prove the commercial use of her name for the purpose of "providing a website featuring information about political issues."

Judge Karen K. Bush said those examples were inadequate. The women's attorney has until May 29 to submit different examples and their written consent.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0206/Sarah-Palin-Inc.-Can-she-trademark-her-name
http://abcnews.go.com/US/sarah-palin-bristol-palin-file-trademark-names/story?id=12843405