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Universal Takes Bored Ape #5537 Deeper into the Metaverse

Last Updated: July 5, 2023
Universal Music Group filed four trademark applications that cover a range of NFT, crypto, and digital currency products and services linked to its newly purchased Bored Ape.

Bored & Hungry isn’t the only company monetizing the Bored Ape Yacht Club brand.

The latest trademark filings on March 31 from Universal Music Group indicate that the music giant is charging forward with its NFT offerings. UMG Web3 label 10:22PM purchased Bored Ape #5537 last month.

The Ape is named Manager Noët All and is part of metaverse music group KINGSHIP.

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Bored Ape #5537 sold for roughly $360,000. At the time of purchase in mid-March, it was announced by UMG and 10:22PM that Manager Noët All “will serve as manager” for KINGSHIP.

“We have been incredibly busy developing KINGSHIP since our initial announcement, and I’m so excited to introduce Manager Noët All, one of many new characters that will be joining the KINGSHIP universe,” 10:22PM Founder Celine Joshua said in a statement, per the official release. “As the manager of the group, Manager Noët All will help drive the storyline and allow us to communicate with the community. We hope to make the KINGSHIP universe as entertaining and immersive as possible, while simultaneously building value for holders.”

She continued: “With the launch of KINGSHIP’s official Discord, the community will have a home where members can interact with one another and get all the latest updates on KINGSHIP’s journey, including how to access the allowlist. Stay tuned, there’s so much to come.”

Last week, UMG filed four trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that cover virtual goods linked to Bored Ape #5537, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies, as relayed by Washington, D.C.-based trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis.

Bored Ape #5537

Mark:
Description:

“The mark consists of an anthropomorphic ape wearing an aviator hat,” according to one of the official filings, and “color is not claimed as a feature of the mark.”

What it’s for:
  • “Downloadable and recorded computer programs for video and computer games”; “Interactive video game programs”
  • “Audio and visual recordings featuring live-action entertainment, animated characters”
  • “Downloadable virtual goods linked to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain; downloadable digital media, namely, digital collectibles, digital tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrencies, and digital art; downloadable digital media, namely, digital collectibles created with blockchain-based software technology and smart contracts”
  • “Downloadable computer software for use in sending, receiving, accepting, storing, transmitting, exchanging, displaying, monetizing, buying, selling, trading, clearing, confirming, viewing, authenticating, and recording digital currency, virtual currency, cryptocurrency, digital and blockchain assets, digitized assets, digital tokens, crypto tokens, utility tokens, application tokens, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)”
  • “Downloadable and recorded virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality game software; virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality game software recorded on tapes, cartridges and cassettes”
  • “Entertainment services, namely, providing a website featuring non-downloadable games, television shows and films featuring original two-dimensional and three-dimensional characters”
  • “Provision of online, non-downloadable web and mobile video-game computer program featuring in-game virtual currency, tokens and currency”
  • “Organizing and conducting entertainment exhibitions in the fields of music, entertainment, lifestyle, beauty and wellness”
  • “Online retail store services featuring physical and virtual merchandise”
  • “Providing an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of crypto collectibles and crypto-tokens; providing digital collectible services, namely, operating an online marketplace for transactions and registry services using blockchain-based software technology and smart contracts for the sale of digitized assets, collectibles, and non-fungible tokens”
  • “Conducting an online trade show exhibition in the fields of music, entertainment, lifestyle, beauty and wellness”

All four applications, filed via attorney Brent LaBarge, UMG’s head of trademark, are attached to the same logo and cover a wide range of NFT, crypto, and digital currency products and services. These filings come after UMG inked a deal with avatar technology company Genies in December to help develop their virtual brands — including KINGSHIP.

Prior to nabbing Manager Noët All, UMG announced its partnership with Billboard in early March for the publication’s “first scalable NFT product” called ChartStars.

The music powerhouse’s urgency to formally register its Bored Ape is the perfect example of how corporations will continue to accelerate their plans to monetize their metaverse offerings.

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Michelai Graham

Michelai Graham is Boardroom's resident tech and crypto reporter. Before joining 35V, she was a freelance reporter with bylines in AfroTech, HubSpot, The Plug, and Lifewire, to name a few. At Boardroom, Michelai covers Web3, NFTs, crypto, tech, and gaming. Off the clock, you can find her producing her crime podcast, The Point of No Return.