Tarzan estate denied trademark rights to movie yell

The EU authority on trademarks has ruled that the jungle yodelling widely recognised as coming from none other than Tarzan cannot enjoy legal protection. However, although the EU trademark and design harmonisation office turned down the request, a sound file is still being considered for registration.

The literary estate of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author who created the ape-man character, has fought a ten-year legal battle for the rights. The estate says it wants to be able to respond to commercial interest in Tarzan expressed in the telecommunications (ringtones), advertising and computer games sectors.

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