BBC Political correspondent Chris Mason has trademarked the inquisitive, eager, yet slightly plaintive and vulnerable stare, that he always adopts after asking a politician a question, it has been confirmed today.
The trademark will give Mason exclusive rights to use his expression, both with or without a microphone extended into politicians' faces. The trademark is also thought to cover all angles of Mason leaning forward, right through to the horizontal position, and even beyond.
'It's about time Chris protected his intellectual property and brand identity', said a source thought to be close to Mason. 'In the last few days alone, we've seen hundreds of poor reproductions of Chris's post-question expression and somewhat passive-aggressive stance flooding the Downing Street area from other political correspondents.'
The trademark is thought to cover a number of additional expressions, notably Mason's faux-conspiratorial backwards look and whisper to camera as a politician walks straight past without stopping.
Go-to phrases such and 'One thing is clear...' are also said to be included in the trademark package, however to the relief of Rigby, Coates, Peston and others , 'sources close to the PM...' is expected to remain available for wider use.
A series of Mason-inspired products are expected to be released onto the market soon, including a AI-powered device that automatically generates provocative and annoying speculative enquiries with at least three questions wrapped up in them, along with a Chris Mason alarm clock that exclusively reveals that 'My understanding is that the sun will rise in the East today' each morning.
Image: TheOtherKev - Pixabay
