Just seven days after the ALS took the plunge and filed
applications for registration of the ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE marks,
the ALS abandoned them. On August 22, 2014, ALSA (Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis Association) filed applications for registration
of ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE and ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE for use in
connection with "charitable fundraising services" with
the USPTO.
These applications created quite a splash and sparked a great
deal of public concern. You've probably seen the viral
"Ice Bucket Challenge" on social media. The challenge
requires someone to pour a bucket of ice over their head, donate to
ALS, and challenge others to do the same. What's interesting is
that originally ALS had nothing to do with the Ice Bucket
Challenge; in fact, the concept of the Ice Bucket Challenge was
broadly used in connection with other charities, many related to
cancer. The first time the Ice Bucket Challenge was connected to
ALS is rumored to be on July 14, 2014, when a
