Local pitch to Dragon's Den

Jason Farrell is hoping he'll get a chance to face some dragons.

Farrell recently took part is a recent audition to appear on the popular Dragon's Den television program, where he hopes being a 'hoser' will attract dragon interest.

Farrell has acquired the trademark rights for the term hoser, made popular years ago by TV personalities Bob and Doug McKenzie.

The process of acquiring the rights to the term hoser was something Farrell said has taken several years.

"It started about four years ago," he said, recalling he and a buddy used to visit thrift stores "buying polyester suits we'd wear out for fun sometimes."

It was on one of the buying trips that Farrell bought a hat with the label "I am a hoser'.

"I was looking at that hat and thinking 'does anyone actually own the rights to the word'."

So Farrell hired a trademark lawyer and did some investigating.

Originally the rights were owned by the creators, "but when it came up for renewal, they let it lapse."

Someone else had picked it up, but Farrell was willing to buy them out.

That was a couple of years ago when Farrell went to a Dragon's Den audition and had made it through.

Then he learned there were six conflicting trademarks out there, so pulled out of the show.

He changed lawyers, and went back to work solidifying the trademark.

After more work with lawyers Farrell said he now owns the exclusive trademark to the word hoser.

So why go through the long process?

"There's not many words, if any words in the English language, where all the marketing has been done," he said, explaining people recognize the word. " There's few people, young, or old, that that word doesn't bring a smile to their face."

While the trademark has value, Farrell said he knows it is value yet to be developed.

"I'm not delusional. I think this is a million dollar idea, but I haven't sold anything. I haven't taken it to the next level," he said.

Farrell said that's why he wants dragon support. He wants marketing expertise, and help in protecting the trademark from knock-offs.

So Farrell is looking for five dollars in exchange for 50 per cent of the trademark, noting that would be a buck a dragon to hopefully bring all five into the deal.

"They each offer different expertise," he said.

Farrell said he has been told he will know if he passed the audition within a couple of weeks.