Another Brand Named after the Pandemic, This Time a Heavy Metal Band

Coronavirus: A pandemic or a branding opportunity? Besides spreading a sense of fear in every individual alive, the coronavirus outbreak has completely changed the way we live. The non-affected and precautious ones often describe it as a “blessing in disguise”. Well, this can be affirmed for the ones who have successfully attempted to navigate opportunities and pitfalls in this dark disaster. Numerous jurisdictions across the world came across wide-ranged trademark applications concerning the elements COVID, Corona, Coronavirus, etc infancy yet unexpected manners. Clothing, food and drinks, and even charitable works sound acceptable and sane but using the pandemic’s name to start a band, that is some extraordinary pre-planned brain work.

In here, we are pointing fingers towards Harley Ganiere, a student and also a heavy metal artist. Ganiere, the Ohio-based Cuyahoga Community College student definitely upped his game after he filed a trademark application for the mark coronavirus.band. Describing himself as a metalhead “with a heart that screams anarchy” the self-taught vocalist and guitarist, Ganiere seeks to make a full-time career in music.

The Tri-C student was enrolled in the Recording Arts and Technology program covering a broad array of topics like business modeling of bands, technical aspects of recording, amongst various others. “I think the first time I heard it was back in November, and I was like, ‘Oh, that's a cool word,’” Ganiere stated. “And I started hearing it all the time, mentioned throughout the beginning of January, where I knew I needed to trademark this before someone else takes it.”   

Like most of the journeys, even he witnessed a slight pushback. At first, he filed a trademark domain name application for “coronavirus.com” with an internationally renowned web registrar, GoDaddy. However, a week later he got a regret mail along with refunds. He said, “I go on to Coronavirus.com, and I see that it's owned by the World Health Organization (WHO). Apparently, any dot-com can be seized by governments. It's just not worth the legal hassle, so I ended up getting another domain, which is Coronavirus.band.”            

Three similar registrations have been obtained by him with the Ohio Secretary of the State including one termed as Coronavirus LLC. The college suggests that Ganiere’s primary intention behind the band is to fit in the heavy metal style in modern-day musical culture. Rumour has it! The band is yet to make a roll. At present, it has three members and they are looking for another experienced one.

Not the first time, metal rockers mixed-up their bands with dark and deadly diseases. The most famous ones like Antrax, Leprosy, Jungle Rot, Pestilence, and Black Death are indeed the best instances.