Non-San Diego Comic-Con Brands Better Change Their Names Quick

If you have a favorite convention that uses “Comic-Con” in its name, expect that name to change quickly. For a while now, San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) has been the plaintiff in a legal battle with Salt Lake Comic Con (SLCC) over the use of “Comic Con” in its name. At the end of last week, a federal judge decided that San Diego would win. That means that SLCC can no longer use the term “Comic Con” or any equivalent in its name or advertising.

“[U.S. Distric Court Judge Anthony] Battaglia, in his order on an injunction, has enjoined Salt Lake from “Comic Con” and “Comic-Con” and any phonetic equivalents (i.e. ComiKon). Additionally, Farr and Brandenburg can’t operate any social media site that incorporates the trademark, nor can they even advertise how the festival they run was “formerly known as Salt Lake Comic Con.””

The judge also ordered the SLCC defendants to pay almost $4 million in attorneys' fees and costs. It’s important to note that this is not the first battle SDCC has brought to the table, but they all were waiting to see how this battle played out. Now that SDCC has won, I assume other comic conventions are scrambling to change their names to avoid legal problems. SLCC changed their name to FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention a while ago after the battle started, so at least they have their new name picked.

Do you think SDCC should be able to coin such an iconic term?

Source: THR