Trump seeks to trademark 'You're fired!'

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  Wendy's asked diners "Where's the beef?" Nike commanded sports nuts to "Just do it." Now Donald Trump is seeking to trademark another pithy phrase: "You're fired!"

The real-estate mogul and reality TV star has filed a trademark application for the phrase, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Web site.

Known for his gaudy casinos and unusual mane of copper hair, Trump dismisses underlings on the hit TV show The Apprentice with a curt "You're fired."

Trump said he intended to emblazon "You're Fired" on games and casino services, and "You're Fired! Donald J. Trump" on clothing.

Other tyrannical bosses won't have to alter their vocabulary if the application wins approval, a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office official said, as it will only protect those specific uses.

A trademark attorney listed on the application did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The patent office granted 185,000 trademark applications in the last fiscal year. Applications take about a year to process.

Trump might have competition: A search of the PTO's database revealed that three other applications for "You're fired" have been filed.

No applications appear to have been filed for "You're outsourced," however.

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