Washington DC (and NYC) law firm gets Super Heroes trademark cancelled

The K Street law firm of Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg Llp prevailed in a forfeit when DC and Marvel didn't defend their 'property' in court at Alexandria's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 

The firm announced their victory on their website -

RJLF Triumphs Over Comic Giants: SUPER HERO Trademarks Open to Public Use
Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg (RJLF)
September 26, 2024
https://www.reichmanjorgensen.com/news-events/superherotmcase

 

and highlighted Adam Adler, the local lawyer who filed the case - 

 

Adam Adler Featured in Reuters Legal on "Super Hero" Trademarks Cancellation
Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg (RJLF)
September 27, 2024
https://www.reichmanjorgensen.com/news-events/superherotmcasereuters924

 

Here's some articles which all basically say the same thing, except for the top one that goes into the history of the trademark -

How Marvel and DC Comics Gained – And Lost – The Super Hero Trademark
Over the weekend, Bleeding Cool reported that Marvel Comics and DC Comics had lost the rights to the trademark for "super hero."
 30 Sep 2024
by Rich Johnston
 https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-dc-comics-gained-lost-super-hero-trademark/

US Trademark Office cancels Marvel, DC's 'Super Hero' marks
By Blake Brittain
September 26, 2024
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-trademark-office-cancels-marvel-dcs-super-hero-marks-2024-09-26/

US Court States Marvel And DC Have Lost Their Super Hero Trademark

US Courts have stated that Marvel Comics and DC Comics have lost their joint-owned Super Hero trademark, after they were challenged. 

27 Sep 2024   by Rich Johnston 

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/us-court-states-marvel-dc-lost-super-hero-trademark/

U.S. Patent And Trademark Office Cancels Trademarks On The Term 'Super Hero' Owned by Marvel and DC
Milton Griepp on September 30, 2024
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57904/u-s-patent-trademark-office-cancels-trademarks-term-super-hero

Marvel and DC lose trademark on "superhero"
Gail Sherman
Sep 29, 2024
https://boingboing.net/2024/09/29/marvel-and-dc-lose-trademark-on-superhero.html

The petitions and decisions are here -

Petition to Cancel SUPER HEROES Trademark Registrations

SUPERBABIES LIMITED and REICHMAN JORGENSEN LEHMAN &
FELDBERG LLP

May 14, 2024

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cacd395da50d351748d72b5/t/66438f17a54db528bfb516ae/17157

Cancellation No. 92085201: Superbabies Limited v. Marvel Characters, Inc. and DC Comics

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board September 26, 2024

https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/zgvoawwzdvd/MARVEL%20DC%20SUPER%20HERO%20TRADEMARK%20default.pdf

Comic characters at last week's Patent and Trademark Expo

Dennis the Menace was on hand to greet us.


And so was Betty Boop - hubba, hubba. Art Rhode, Betty Boop, Mike Rhode. Boop looks good for a 79-year old.

The International Trademark Association had a table to inform you how to be sure of your superhero paraphernalia's status.


Batman counterfeit on right, and true merchandise on left at the Patent and Trademark Expo.


Dastardly Tweety Bird counterfeit on left, and true merchandise on right at the Patent and Trademark Expo.


Superman and Harry Potter counterfeits on left, and true merchandise on right at the Patent and Trademark Expo.


And don't be making your own Mickey Mouse ears - they're trademarked!


Dennis the Menace plays football. He actually caught the ball.

May 8-9: Cartoon characters at Trademark Expo

Does the idea of the Air Force trademarking itself strike anyone else as wrong? 1. They're part of our government which usually says intellectual property created by the government is in the public domain and 2. their job at the most basic level is killing people and destroying property. I'm feeling old and out of touch. I will however go see Popeye.

Colorful Opening Ceremony Planned for Trademark Expo
United States Air Force Brass Quintet to Perform and 25 Costumed Characters to Appear

The United States Air Force Band’s brass quintet will join 16 exhibitors and a cast of 25 costumed characters for the gala opening of the 2009 National Trademark Expo. The event will take place on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the USPTO’s campus at 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. No admission is charged and free parking is available on Saturday.

The Air Force will display their federally registered Air Force symbol, the official emblem of the U.S. Air Force, as well as three other important trademarks -- the Air Force Coat of Arms, the Air Force Thunderbirds Emblem, and the "Hap Arnold", which is also known as the Army Air Corps Symbol." A complete list of exhibitors is available at http://www.uspto.gov/main/homepagenews/2009apr07a.htm. Since its formation in 1941, the United States Air Force Band has played superb music for music lovers around the globe, earning its reputation as “America's International Musical Ambassadors.”

This year’s collection of costumed trademark characters is the largest in the history of the Expo. Included are some costumes that rarely make appearances outside their home venues. The all star cast, in alphabetical order, includes: Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, Crayola Crayons, Curious George, Dennis the Menace, Energizer Bunny, Faux Paw the Techno Cat, Hershey Kisses, Hershey Bar, Maisy Mouse, McGruff, Mr. Jelly Belly, Olive Oyl, Peter Rabbit, Pillsbury Doughboy, Popeye, Smokey Bear, Sprout, the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch. Their host for the two days will be the USPTO’s own character, T.Markey. All characters will be on stage for the opening and will appear periodically throughout the two day Expo.

The National Trademark Expo is designed to educate the public about the vital role trademarks play in our economy, No admission is charged. The Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free parking will be available on Saturday.