For any comic conventions who once or planned to use the words “Comic Con” in their name, they might want to rethink that marketing strategy.
This is according to a recent report from the Hollywood Reporter, a federal judge in California placed an injunction on the phrase “Comic Con” as the result of contentious court case between the San Diego convention and its Salt Lake City competitor.
The results of this decision will mean that any or all comic conventions that used the term “comic con” will no longer be able to without some licensing fee involved.
This all came about when the San Diego Comic Convention had sued Salt Lake Comic Con organizers Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenberg in court for infringing on trademarks with use of the “comic-con” phrase. Initially Salt Lake was not found of guilty of willfulness and was ordered to pay $20,000 to remove the phrase from their advertising.
It was after a request for a new trial, that the judge placed an injunction on the phrase and then ordered the SaltLake City group to pay four million in court costs. Under the judges order, phonetic phrases such as “Comic-Con” and “ComiKon,”are included but not “comic convention.” With the decision, other comic organizations have changed their names to comply with the injunction. How this will effect their business remains to be seen. Only the future will tell.
Do you think that the “Comic-Con” phrase should be controlled or should it matter? Put on your legal robes and let us a GVNation know.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
