[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?r...entry=78964299

Someone's registered him as a trademark, does that mean I won't be able to use him as a character in a story? I'm thinking the traditional egg man with arms and legs who falls off walls.

No. Trademarks only apply in specific fields - eg the fact that Microsoft hold a trademark on the word "Windows" in the field of computer operating systems does not stop people using the same word for the hole thingies in the walls of buildings.

This particular trademark only appears to apply to bed linen, curtains, towels, etc. You are free to use the word for any purpose unrelated to trade in such products.