If you've got a unique phrase that is clearly associated with your product, you can apply for a trademark and prevent other groups from using that phrase without permission. For example, an advertising jingle or slogan. We'd give you an example, but we don't want to get sued, so just hum the latest Coke, Pepsi, or any other beverage.

But there are some phrases that you would think would be beyond trademarking, because they're so widely used. For example, ROTFL, LOL, or NSFW. Well, nobody's trying to trademark your laughing abbreviations, but internet humor/bizarre link site Fark does want to trademark the term NSFW (or Not Safe For Work).

If you don't frequent the sorts of web pages where this kind of thing comes up, NSFW is an abbreviation that people stick next to a link that you might not want to click on while you're at the office with your boss looking over your shoulder. In other words, it usually signifies that the link would take you to a site with an adult theme.

The thing is, NSFW is pretty widely used. In fact, there's even a website called NSFW.com. You'd think if anyone qualifies for a trademark on the term, it would be that site. But we'd love to see anyone try to enforce a trademark on a term that pops up on user forums, newsgroups, chat rooms, blogs, user-generated news sites, video sites, and pretty much anywhere else on the internet.

[via Ars Technica]