Comic book companies, like any other company, need to constantly renew their brands, to prevent someone external from wanting to take over their franchises, and thus have the security of monetizing them with the different products they make from them. However, some problems may arise, and recently both D.C. as Marvel They have lost a brand that they have in common, which unites the characters they have under their mantle.
After maintaining exclusive control over the terms “superhero” and “superheroes” for decades, companies have lost their trademark on these terms. The loss comes after a recent ruling by the Trademark Trials and Appeals Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which determined that the two companies could not claim ownership of such a broad and fundamental concept for the genre.
The case arose after D.C. threaten legal action against SJ Richoldauthor of the comic series Superbabiesaccusing him of copyright infringement. However, Richold counterattacked, arguing that Marvel and D.C. they could not “claim ownership of an entire genus.” This defense led to the trademark office ruling in favor of Superbabiesinvalidating the claims of both publishers.
The rivals’ lawyer, Adam Adlercelebrated the decision as a victory for creativity and innovation. According to Adler, establishing the place of superheroes in the public domain safeguards their meaning as a symbol of heroism, available to all storytellers. This ruling opens the doors for other creatives to freely use the terms “superhero” and “superheroes” without fear of legal reprisals from the comics giants.
Despite the loss of the brand, the decision will not affect the ability of Marvel and D.C. to continue using these terms in your own stories. This leads us to other companies or independent authors doing the same, marking a milestone in the evolution of the genre and the opening of new creative opportunities in the comics industry.
Via: IGN
Author’s note: Thank goodness they already took away their monopoly on this phrase, it was time for new generations to use it. In addition, more exponents of the heroes who are perhaps not as recognized are needed.
#Marvel #lose #important #trademark