The Artist Formerly Known As P. Diddy

Word on the street is that fans should now refer to Sean Combs as "Diddy." Actually, I didn't hear this on the street, but rather on television, and again in the article Diddy is more personal. So, Sean Combs, previously known as "Puffy," "Puff Daddy," and "P. Diddy," now wants to be known simply by "Diddy." The most recent name change was to relieve the formality of the "P." Apparently, Mr. Combs feels that his alter-ego should be known only by last name, claiming "Diddy is more personal."

So, I got to thinking. Has "Diddy" registered all of these trademarks with the USPTO. I was surprised to find that he has applied for at least 27 different registrations, with 7 actually being registered. The first registered mark is "Daddy's House," first used in 1994 for charitable fund raising services and other charitable services for children. Maybe "J. Lo" was able to see this softer side of "Diddy."

Other registered marks include "Puff Daddy," "Puffy," and "Sean John." But my favorite is the dead application requesting registration of "Farnsworth Bently." The USPTO rejected the mark because it is almost identical to the alter-ego of "Diddy's" former assistant, Derek Watkins, a/k/a "Farnsworth Bentley." In the application, "Diddy" claims that he created the character, and controlled Mr. Watkins when he appeared as the character. However, the application was ultimately abandoned, along with the very similar "Fonzworth Bently."

Since all the cool kids seem to have an alter-ego, I think I will also have to give some serious thought to what my fans should call me.