Marvel and DC Lose Trademark on ‘Super Hero’: What It Means for the Comics Industry
Marvel and DC lose their grip on the iconic “Super Hero” trademark.
For over 50 years, Marvel and DC Comics jointly held the trademark for the term “Super Hero.” This trademark allowed them to legally protect the phrase and distinguish their characters and stories in the marketplace. A trademark is essentially a legal protection for a word, phrase, or design that identifies specific goods or services, giving the owner exclusive rights and helping them defend their brand and reputation.
For Marvel and DC, this “super hero” trademark became a symbol of their dominance in the comic book industry. However, after a recent legal challenge, that protection has come to an end.
The cancellation of the “super hero” trademark occurred because of a challenge from a smaller company called Superbabies Limited, which produces comics about superhero babies. The creator of Superbabies, S.J. Richold, faced opposition from DC when he tried to promote his Superbabies series. In response, Richold decided to challenge Marvel and DC’s long-standing trademark. According to the law firm representing Richold, the U.S. Trademark Office ruled in favor of Superbabies, as Marvel and DC failed to respond to the petition. As a result, the trademark was canceled.
This is a significant development in the comic book world, as it opens the door for other creators to use the term “super hero” freely without legal repercussions from the two comic giants. It marks the end of an era where Marvel and DC maintained exclusive control over a term that has become synonymous with the genre itself.
Fans and creators alike may now see a shift in how “super hero” is used in future projects, as the iconic term is no longer restricted to just Marvel and DC properties. Well, Ahem-Ahem – Comics Byte!!
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