The FRESH PRINCE® of Bel Air – New Licensing (And a Possible Reboot?)

NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the best known 90s sitcoms. This show propelled Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith from an up-and-coming musician to a household name and one of the world’s biggest movie stars. More than two decades after the show’s last episode originally aired, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air remains a popular syndicated show with a loyal fan base.

Originally filed in 2008, Mr. Smith has owned U.S. Reg. No. 3697484 for FRESH PRINCE in Classes 9 and 41 for over a decade. This registration covers a number of key goods / services including audio and video recordings, DVDs and television programs. In reviewing the specimen submitted to the Trademark Office in 2009, it is clear that the Fresh Prince of Bel Air television program formed the basis for this use.

For years, there has been speculation of a possible reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air – perhaps co-staring Will Smith’s real-life children Jaden Smith and/or Willow Smith. Will Smith, however, has generally denied such speculation.

Notwithstanding such denials, it appears that Will Smith – both individually and through what we presume is his company, F.P. Trademark Holdings, LLC (which might stand for “Fresh Prince” Trademark Holdings) – have been securing trademark rights over a wide variety of goods. More specifically, Will Smith and F.P. Trademark Holdings recently filed trademark applications for:

FRESH PRINCE (Serial No. 87765317) filed on an intent-to-use basis on January 22, 2018 in Class 9;
FRESH PRINCE (Serial No. 87765328) filed on an intent-to-use basis on January 22, 2018 in Class 16;
FRESH PRINCE (Serial No. 87765347) filed on an intent-to-use basis on January 22, 2018 in Class 18;
FRESH PRINCE (Serial No. 87765353) filed on an intent-to-use basis on January 22, 2018 in Class 25; and
FRESH PRINCE (Serial No. 87765363) filed on an intent-to-use basis on January 22, 2018 in Class 28.

Will Smith also recently filed four trademark applications for stylized trademarks depicting a “running man” design, to wit:

Serial No. 88010163 filed on an intent-to-use basis on Jun. 21, 2018 in Class 14 for the stylized mark shown below:

Serial No. 88010176 filed on an intent-to-use basis on June 21, 2018 in Class 25 for the stylized mark shown below:

Serial No. 88010190 filed on an intent-to-use basis on June 21, 2018 in Class 14 for the stylized mark shown below

Serial No. 88010203 filed on an intent-to-use basis on June 21, 2018 in Class 25 for the stylized mark shown below:

Finally, F.P. Trademark Holdings also recently filed several trademark applications for FRESH PRINCESS, to wit:

FRESH PRINCESS (Serial No. 87806061) filed on an intent-to-use basis on February 21, 2018 in Class 9;
FRESH PRINCESS (Serial No. 87806073) filed on an intent-to-use basis on February 21, 2018 in Class 18;
FRESH PRINCESS (Serial No. 87806090) filed on an intent-to-use basis on February 21, 2018 in Class 25; and
FRESH PRINCESS (Serial No. 87806124) filed on an intent-to-use basis on February 21, 2018 in Class 41.

Perhaps Will Smith is planning to launch a new licensing program to capitalize on continued interest in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? Or, perhaps, he is securing trademark rights in anticipation of a reboot of this show – maybe even including his children Jaden Smith and Willow Smith as the “Fresh Prince” and “Fresh Princess,” respectively?

Only time will tell. Until then, trust our firm to continue monitoring these applications and to continue reporting on this matter.