Want to use Meryl Streep's name? Pay first

LOS ANGELES - Acclaimed actress Meryl Streep has filed an application to trademark her name.

The application with the US Patent and Trademark Office requests that the name be trademarked for "entertainment services", movie appearances, speaking engagements and autographs.

Streep, 68, last week extended her record to 21 Oscar nominations, this time for her role in The Post. She has bagged three Oscars, three Emmys and six Golden Globes during her 40-year career on stage, screen and television.

Many stars have also protected their names or catchphrases to stop others from using them without permission, or earn cash from products bearing their name.

Taylor Swift, for example, has filed some 60 trademark applications in the last 10 years, according to Patent Office records.