Marvel and DC Enforce "Superhero" Trademark

An anonymous reader writes "GeekPunk is announcing that their flagship comic book title featuring superheroes patronizing their favorite bar & grill during their off-hours will now be entitled Hero Happy Hour beginning with the fifth issue of the ongoing series. According to creator Dan Taylor, "The decision to change the title was brought upon by the fact that we received a letter from the trademark counsel to 'the two big comic book companies' claiming that they are the joint owners of the trademark 'SUPER HEROES' and variations thereof." " Read the recent boingboing post for more background as well.

Comments

Holy ruined comics Batman!

[Paperghost]

Look, up in the sky, its a shattered childhood.

Re:Unenforced?

[gEvil (beta)]

This really does seem as silly as a PB&J parent...

No kidding. ButterBoy or JellyGirl do seem pretty silly to me.

Re:Ones and Zeroes

[Mercano]

"Just because everyone uses it to refer to Superman and Aquaman doesn't mean that "everyone" invented the term."

Well, Superman, at least. Aquaman's heroics don't extend much past the shore.

The comic book guy says..

[saboola]

Worst use of trademark law.... ever

"Variations thereof" like these?

[EddieNiese]

"and variations thereof" What does that mean? Does that include anagrams like:

• Our Herpes
• Pure Horse
• He so pure
• See ho purr

You'll see

[Godji]

You'll all see what happens when I trademark "The"! That way, in the (TM) future you'll all have to pay me rolaylties for the (TM) use of the (TM) word "the" (TM) in any of the (TM) sentences you ever write or speak! The (TM) profits will be endless! All the (TM) people in the (TM) world will depend on the (TM) decision I make about their use of the (TM) world "the" (TM)!! Ah, the (TM) future....

Patent only valid in Alternate Universe

[LoverOfJoy]

They must have confused this universe with a parallel dimension where only DC and Marvel make superhero comics. :)

Any time Slashdot posts a legal article...

[spun]

I always look for the "cpt kangarooski"(tm) brand posts. Quality legal information at a reasonable price, you can't go wrong with a "cpt kangarooski"(tm) post!