Ms. Sakshi Sharma, an intern at Khurana & Khurana looks into
recent opposition matters pertaining to the Trade Mark Superhero of
DC and Marvel.
Upon uttering the word Superhero, pretty obviously all you can
picture are comic books or movies, the characters themselves or the
two comic book giants which are constantly at loggerheads with each
other, Marvel and DC. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the
trademark of Superhero is registered by both of them. Yes, you read
it right, both of them.
The instances of jointly registering trademarks are rare but not
unknown and the words "Superhero" or
"Superheroes" (and the diametric opposite i.e. Super
villain) and all alternate versions involving these words are all
registered as trademarks of Marvel and DC both. In fact, if usage
of the trademark in this very article could amount to trademark
infringement, provided that it is used for commercial purposes and
unjust enrichment by means of free riding on the good will of
