Update on September 5, 2007.
YouTube has removed this short movie fragment I used as an illustration below, so here is a direct link to Krusty the Clown as trademark in the Simpsons (660 KB). I suggest you to use VLC software to watch it. It works with almost each operating system and its free.
The hype around The Simpsons has faded a little bit so I decided to write a post in this subject. I recalled myself this short fragment which you may watch below.
Initially, I ignored this gag but later on I decided to check if Krusty has told Marge the truth about his likeness and trademark rights. You probably know how it is with greedy clowns, it is always better to check what they say. A quick search performed with the Trademark Electronic Search System showed information about trademarks no 74080331, 74080332, 74080379, 74080308 and 74080380. You may read from the last trademark file for instance about:
Goods and Services (Abandoned) IC 041. US 107. G & S: entertainment services in the form of providing a series of television programs, motion picture production and distribution services and children live action shows.
For those of you who are interested deeper in this subject matter here is an additional search I performed for trademark no 74080308:
Trademark Name: KRUSTY THE CLOWN
(WORDS ONLY)
Filing Date: July 20, 1990
Serial Number: 74-080308
Official Gazette Status: ABANDONED - NO STATEMENT OF USE
Status Date: February 21, 1993
Goods/Services: STATIONERY, WRITING PAPER AND ENVELOPES, MOUNTED AND UNMOUNTED PHOTOGRAPHS, HOUSEHOLD GLUE AND PASTE, PAINT BRUSHES, PLAYING CARDS, COMIC BOOKS, POSTERS, TABLECLOTHS MADE OF PAPER, STAPLERS, PENCIL CUPS, DESK TOP ORGANIZERS, DESK CALENDARS, WALL CALENDARS, GREETING CARDS, COLORING BOOKS, PAPER NAPKINS, WRAPPING PAPER, INSTRUCTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL BOOKS, CHILDREN’S BOOKS, GAME BOOKS, FICTIONAL NOVELS AND SHORT STORY BOOKS (INTERNATIONAL CLASS: 16; US CLASS: 22, 23, 29, 37, 38, 5)
International Class: 16 (PAPER GOODS AND PRINTED MATTER) - PRIMARY CLASS
U.S. Class:
22 (GAMES, TOYS, AND SPORTING GOODS) - SECONDARY CLASS
23 (CUTLERY, MACHINERY, HAND TOOLS, AND PARTS THEREOF)
29 (BROOMS, BRUSHES AND DUSTERS)
37 (PAPER AND STATIONERY)
38 (PRINTS AND PUBLICATIONS)
5 (ADHESIVES)Register Type: PRINCIPAL REGISTER
Active/Inactive: INACTIVE
First Use Date: FIRST USE DATE NOT AVAILABLE (INTERNATIONAL CLASS: 16; US CLASS: 22, 23, 29, 37, 38, 5)
First Commerce Date: IN COMMERCE DATE NOT AVAILABLE (INTERNATIONAL CLASS: 16; US CLASS: 22, 23, 29, 37, 38, 5)
Publication Date: May 28, 1991
Correspondent: WILLIAM H. LOCKARD, ESQ. FOX, INC. P.O. BOX 900, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90213
Intent to Use: FILED AS INTENT TO USE
Word Count: 3
OWNERSHIP INFORMATION:
Owner: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION (DELAWARE CORPORATION) 10201 WEST PICO BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90035 AS OF May 28, 1991Applicant: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION (DELAWARE CORPORATION) LOS ANGELES, CA AS OF July 20, 1990
Applicant: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION (DELAWARE CORPORATION) LOS ANGELES, CA AS OF July 20, 1990
As you can see Krusty the Clown was not as precise as he should be. He did not consult his trademark attorney I think. But I must also admit that the “generic reaction” performed by Marge was at least perfidious. ;)
goes 
