A 12-year-old entrepreneur is crowd funding for legal fees after getting into a trademark battle with a media giant after trying to register her company.
Year seven student Katharina Weischede tried to register a trademark for her business called Slime Princess, but drew an unhappy response from Nickelodeon, NZME reports.
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Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom says trademarking the name "Slime Princess" would be in violation of its trademarks of "Slime" and "Nickelodeon Slime".
The company is known for dumping litres of a goopy green substance known as slime on celebrities during awards shows and promotions.
It says the Slime Princess brand could cause confusion or be contrary to the Fair Trading Act and the Trade Marks Act.
Katharina views the corporation as a giant coming to battle her for her kingdom and is asking for others to help her achieve her dream.
"For me, I chose to be a Slime Princess. It is not just about playing slime, making slime but it's putting smiles on people's faces. It is about having a voice, being an inspiration and standing up for small businesses like mine," she wrote on Givealittle.
"I work so hard being a Slime Princess. I do not want anyone, like this monied, well connected giant to take my passion away because he can fight me more."
University of Auckland senior lecturer and trademark specialist Rob Batty says Katharina and her parents have a good chance of winning against Viacom.
"They certainly have a chance of succeeding in the opposition and ultimately register the Slime Princess trade mark," Dr Batty told NZME.
"Unfortunately, the process can sometimes be long and relatively expensive."
A Nickelodeon spokesperson told Newshub the company is in contact with Katharina and her family and are discussing the matter.
"We at Nickelodeon are thrilled that so many young fans love slime as much as we do and find such creative ways to express themselves with it.
"As such, the Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand team recently connected with Katharina and family to discuss an opportunity to work together."
Nickelodeon would not comment on whether it will proceed with legal action.
Newshub.
