Branding The Missing Link

A skull from 47 million years ago may hold the key to linking the evolution of primates with the development of humans. You've seen the headlines screaming: "Missing link." One newspaper calls this the "Holy Grail of human evolution."

But have you thought about the marketing implications? With a History Channel special, book deal, and other hoopla, The Missing Link is evolving into its own brand. The Missing Link is even featured in today's Google's logo (as you can see).

With all of this brand recognition--and all of the WOM buzz--will The Missing Link soon get its own TM or SM or other intellectual property protection? When will The Missing Link have its own YouTube channel, start blogging, start tweeting?