AMERICA: SAN DIEGO COMIC- CON VERSUS SALT LAKE COMIC CON

Picture credit: YouTube.com

San Diego Comic-Con International is a multi genre entertainment and comic

convention held annually in San Diego, California, United States. The name, as

given on its website, is Comic-Con International: San Diego; but it is commonly

known simply as Comic-Con or the San Diego Comic-Con or "SDCC- Wikipedia

In 2014, SDDC brought a trademark infringement action against Salt Lake

Comic Con(SLCC) for their use of the term comic con.

Picture Credit: Salt Lake Comic Con
SLCC’s position- The term comic con is a generic one, a common expression

dating from the 1960s, and that when combined with other sets of words, they

form a protected naming convention.

SDDC’s position- We have used the Comic-Con trademarks in connection with

our comics and popular arts conventions for almost 50 years. We have invested

substantial time, talent and resources in our brand resulting in the worldwide

recognition of the Comic-Con convention held annually in San Diego.

Federal jury’s decision:

•  SDCC’s trademark is valid
•  SLCC’s use was without permission
•  $20,000 awarded as damages
•  The violation was not a “wilful infringement”.

SLCC is considering whether or not to appeal however they have commenced

proceedings with the US trademark office to officially cancel SDCC’s trademark.

This ruling could change a lot for the over 140 conventions that operate under

the “comic con” name across America as they have to undergo the costly

process of renaming or risk legal action from SDCC, which could be even more

expensive in the long run.