Climate activist Greta Thunberg has submitted an application to the EU's Intellectual Property Office, EUIPO, to get its name trademark protected. Similar applications have been submitted for "Fridays for future" and "School strike for the climate".

"Unfortunately, there are still people who pretend to be me or falsely claim to 'represent me'," Greta Thunberg writes on Instagram.

With a trademark protection, she hopes to put a stop to those who use her name for commercial purposes without her permission.

Want to use "Greta Thunberg" on bathroom products

The brand "Greta Thunberg" is to be protected in connection with, among other things, marketing, education and research on climate issues, according to the application.

At the same time, a completely different application for trademark protection "Greta Thunberg" has been submitted. The application is in Italian and deals with, among other things, paper towels, handkerchiefs, brushes, toys and essential oils. Under "graphic representation" they have submitted a picture of a heart-shaped globe with Greta Thunberg's name printed below.

As the application fee has not yet been paid, it is not visible who submitted the application.

The lawyer: Is not in the way of each other

In theory, there is nothing that prevents a business from trademarking Greta Thunberg's name in connection with bathroom products, according to Johan Nordlund, lawyer at the Norwegian Patent and Registration Office. What determines is whether the brands compete in the same area.

- From a spontaneous point of view it seems to be about two completely different genres of goods and services, he says.

In the same way that Snickers can refer to either work pants or a chocolate cake, Greta Thunberg's name can be trademarked several times in connection with various goods and services, explains Johan Nordlund.

However, even if a trademark is registered, different laws at national level may limit its use. In Sweden, for example, the law on names and images is in advertising. One well-known case is when the altar-hopper Stefan Holm got right to a petrol station that used a radio reference from one of his gold jumps in an advertising jingle.

SVT News has applied for Greta Thunberg and Fridays for future.