Netflix registered a trademark for the name 'Space Force' in January 2019, roughly eleven months before the US military established its newest branch of the same name in December 2019, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The streaming service's trademark covers its satirical show starring Steve Carell; the military branch was founded without ever registering a trademark for its own name.
The timing reflects a broader pattern. The US Department of Defense did not establish its branding and trademark licensing office until 2007, decades after entertainment companies began filing trademarks, the Reporter noted. Netflix's earlier filing does not prevent the government from operating a real Space Force, and the company's right to the show's name is supported by First Amendment and fair use arguments.
No Conflict — for Now
There is no guarantee the overlapping claims will become acrimonious. An Air Force spokesperson told the Reporter: 'At this time, we are not aware of any trademark conflicts with the fictional program Space Force produced by Netflix. We wish Netflix and the show's producers the best in their creative depiction of our nation's newest branch of the military.'
Precedent exists for a dispute, though. In 2011, Disney attempted to register the phrase 'Seal Team 6' after the killing of Osama bin Laden, but public pressure led the company to abandon the effort. For now, neither Netflix nor the Air Force has indicated any intention to challenge the other's use of the name.
Editorial Notes