“For this reason, Whataburger has opened a dialogue with DC Comics about ensuring each party’s respective rights and interests are recognized and protected,” says a Whataburger spokesperson. A separate application was filed that same month to use the name for cookies, breakfast cereal, bubble gum, cake decorations, tea, and even “meat tenderizers for household purposes.” Applications for marmalades, milk substitutes, kitchen towels, and a line of plates and bowls were also filed. Patent and Trademark Office records records, DC Comics filed to trademark “Wonder Woman” for use as a line of fruit and vegetable juices and sports drinks. The real issue here seems to be that while the Wonder Woman logo was previously used just to sell comic books, now it’s preparing to tread into new territory - including a slew of food and beverage products, which could create confusion. It seems doubtful that anyone will mistake Wonder Woman movie posters for Whataburger ads without that signature orange. While it uses the same stacked “W” shape, this one actually seems less similar to Whataburger’s: Wonder Woman’s original logo, trademarked in 1985, was strikingly similar to Whataburger’s:īut apparently Whataburger didn’t take issue with the logo similarity until just recently, when DC Comics revealed a new version of Wonder Woman’s logo ahead of a new movie set to be released in 2017. Whataburger’s been using its signature orange “Flying W” logo to sell burgers, fries, and shakes since 1972: The Houston Chronicle reports the San Antonio-based burger chain and DC Comics are “currently involved in what the chain terms as a ‘friendly trademark discussion’” regarding Wonder Woman’s recently redesigned “W” logo. Instead, the two are duking it out over trademark infringement. In this case, the conflict has nothing to do with fighting crime or saving citizens from imminent disaster. In perhaps the most unlikely superhero/villain rivalry of all time, Wonder Woman is going toe-to-toe with Texas-based burger chain Whataburger.
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