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Nintendo files to trademark "It's on like Donkey Kong" as part of lame PR stunt

by: Chuck - posted: 11/10/2010 12:13:00 PM
More On: Donkey Kong Country Returns
In a move that is sure to inspire facepalms across the country, the folks at Nintendo have filed a trademark request for the phrase "It's on like Donkey Kong".  No, I'm not making that up and you can check out the release after the jump if you don't believe me.

Of course the move is strictly a cheap PR stunt to raise awareness of Donkey Kong Country Returns which is just weeks away from hitting stores.  It's a bit on the irresponsible side because the phrase has been part of the pop culture lexicon for well north of two decades and in the end it does nothing but waste taxpayer dollars.  Kudos to Nintendo for one of the stupidest PR moves of the year.
Nintendo Files Official Trademark for Catchphrase ‘It’s On Like Donkey Kong’

In honor of the upcoming Nov. 21 launch of Donkey Kong Country™ Returns for the Wii™ console, Nintendo has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the pop-culture phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong.” For those unfamiliar with the term, “It’s on like Donkey Kong” is an old, popular Nintendo phrase that has a number of possible interpretations depending on how it’s used. In addition to Nintendo’s use, it has been used in popular music, television and film over the years, pointing to Donkey Kong’s status as an enduring pop-culture icon and video game superstar.

Donkey Kong™ is one of the oldest and most recognizable video game characters. He has been a pop-culture icon since the launch of his 1981 self-titled arcade game. Donkey Kong again rose to prominence in the 1994 Super NES™ game Donkey Kong Country. His new game, Donkey Kong Country Returns, marks his triumphant return in a new side-scrolling adventure with new challenges amid a beautiful setting. The game features the first simultaneous cooperative game-play mode for the series, with one player controlling Donkey Kong and the other controlling his agile pal, Diddy Kong™.

On Nov. 21, It’s on like Donkey Kong™!