ALS Pulls Request to Trademark ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’

The ALS Association has pulled an application it filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to secure trademark rights for the terms “ice bucket challenge” and “ALS ice bucket challenge,” Fortune reports.

The application was criticized by some as a crass move, similar to efforts by some private companies to secure the term “Boston Strong” in the wake of the Boston marathon bombing. In an email statement, an ALS Association spokesperson acknowledged public outcry over the filing and said the application had been rescinded.

By Friday, the ice bucket challenge—in which participants make a donation to the ALS Association or pour ice water over their heads, or both—had raised more than $100-million. Last year, the association had raised $2.8-million in the same month-long period, according to Forbes. The fundraising campaign was propelled by videos published on social media platforms of celebrities and others dousing themselves.