America's Strangest Trademark Requests

Trademark fights are no joke, even when they're over smiley faces.

Over the years, companies large and small have attempted to lock down catchphrases and logos to distinguish their brand from others, and some of the requests have been a little out there.

Who's got the "Best Coffee in America," for example? Well, Dunkin' Donuts say themselves, but it will be up to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to decide for sure. (A similar request by the Boston Beer Company to trademark the "Best Beer in America" was denied.)

Walmart apparently forgot about Forrest Gump when it tried to trademark the smiley face logo.

Indeed, trademark requests can make or break smaller businesses. Something as little as changing a company name can have big implications, particularly for smaller businesses since they can incur big costs in changing web domains and stationary and other branding items. Worse, they can lose valuable ground built up by word-of-mouth if they're forced to change their name, the Star-Tribune reports.

Check out some of the most bizarre trademark requests: