Written by Masters of the Universe fans have been elated that the San Diego Comic-Con “Masters of the Universe: Revolution” Motherboard 12 inch Masterverse figure started shipping to consumers this week.
Upon recept of the package, many zeroed in on the legal portion of the packaging where they saw an exciting list of new characters, vehicles and places.
Some took this as a list of new action figures, vehicles and playsets… a teased list of what is coming soon in Masters of the Universe plastic! Of course, Mattel wouldn’t likely announce new figures this way, but it is also important to process this information in the context of trademarks.
When one sees a TM after a name, you know it has been trademarked, which is a legal way to protect intellectual property (and unauthorized entities from using it.)
Now every 10 years, a trademark has to be renewed. Take Madame Razz for instance:
Now trademarks have four requirements, four things that must eventually happen to be confirmed:
- There are no conflicts with other trademarks
- It must be distinctive
- It must be used in commerce (the activity of buying or selling)
- The capability to be a source identifier
Focusing on #3, reportedly, while a company is allowed to apply for trademark registration before use, the trademark will still have to be eventually used in commerce (the activity of buying or selling) to complete the process. And it seems a Motherboard figure sold, that crosses state or national lines, reportedly qualifies.
Now, we must caveat that we are in no way trademark legal experts. And it is possible that some of these trademarked names will indeed be created in collectible plastic. (Actually it is very likely, considering how fast Mattel has been pumping out new figures!) But it does seem it would be wise to… at least take caution… before assuming this is an entire list of upcoming figures, vehicles and playsets.
It is a good guess that, unless this was printed on the packaging by accident, Mattel would probably not announce new figures this way, so this likely serves some other purpose.
We’ll see you next time!
Thanks very much to Danny P, John “emerald_knight_photos” Mejia and Catra Applesauce Meowmeow for the ‘heads up’!
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This should be required reading.
@elder Word bro!
Hopefully we get many of them, maybe not all for Masterverse tough?
@catra Even getting half that list would be amazing! š