Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims, has become a ‘brand name’ in the Netherlands.
Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad said Wilders and his anti-immigrant Freedom Party (PVV) have been registered as trademarks to prevent misuse of their names, Reuters reported Wednesday, August 17.
Wilders' trademark application included a category for seeds, plants and flowers following the christening of a tulip in his name in February.
The far-right lawmaker has already been listed in the brand register for the Benelux for services such as lobbying.
When a name is registered, it can be marketed commercially.
“A politician should not be for sale,” Tobias Cohen Jehoram, professor of intellectual property, told the Financieele Dagblad.
Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.
He has called for banning the Noble Qur’an, describing the Muslim holy book as “fascist”.
In 2008, the far-right politician released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Qur'an of inciting violence.
Ahead of last year’s general elections, Wilders’ anti-immigrant party campaigned to "stop the Islamization of the Netherlands", and the building of new mosques.
His party’s anti-Islam campaigns, however, have helped it make its biggest gains since Wilders has founded it in 2006.
Wilders’ party, the third-largest in parliament, is the minority coalition government's key ally, providing crucial support when the government needs a majority to pass legislation.
Wilders stands out among Dutch politicians because of his mane of bleached-blond hair and was nicknamed "the golden pompadour" in US diplomatic cables disclosed by WikiLeaks.
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