Trademarking the word "Superhero"

[Allotrion]

I just came across this article in my local newspaper.  I would side with the author.  I don't think DC or Marvel should have a joint trademark on the word "superhero". 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/comic-book-creator-fights-term-superhero-article-1.1327860

Thoughts?

Asha'Man

[FatherXmas]

This is really an old story.  I remember it being talked about back on the old forum.  And it's only the compound word superhero.  If you say super hero, it's OK.

But yeah, it's an old work and allowing it to be trademarked in the first place was just another case of government agency not doing it's due diligence and allowing it.

[TimtheEnchanter]

Just waiting on the result of Disney's attempt at trademarking Snow White (which is public domain). If that goes through, I think we're going to see an eruption of mayhem.

[Aggelakis]

Just waiting on the result of Disney's attempt at trademarking Snow White (which is public domain). If that goes through, I think we're going to see an eruption of mayhem.

They can trademark THEIR Snow White, THEIR particular story, THEIR looks. They cannot lay claim to the folk tale, though.

[TimtheEnchanter]

They can trademark THEIR Snow White, THEIR particular story, THEIR looks. They cannot lay claim to the folk tale, though.

This is more specifically the name itself, not the artwork. And the only things it apparently does not apply to is the printed word. It seems to be a backdoor version of a no-competition clause.

http://www.thetruesnowwhite.com/MORE/trademarks/Disney%20DOES%20NOT%20own%20Snow%20White.pdf

There were a LOT more available articles about this a year ago, but I can scarcely find any of them now. Hopefully that's just a coincidence.