A former employee of the US Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) is attempting to trademark the swastika in order to prevent it being used by racists.
Steve Maynard, who owns a company called “Snowflake Enterprises” – a reference to the pejorative term used against people offended by hate speech – has applied for the trademark.
“The swastika is a symbol that needs to be taken seriously, and not sold for $10 at a rally for everyone to have” he told the Forward.
“They would have to buy them through us, and we would charge a high rate, and if they didn’t buy them through us, we would have the right to go in and confiscate merchandise and just frustrate their purpose,” he said.
