Marvel Comics, often known as “Marvel”, is a US-based comic book creator and publisher. Marvel comics (formerly Marvel Comics Group and Marvel Publishing, Inc) is part of Marvel Entertainment. In 2009, Disney acquired the parent company.
Marvel was established in 1939 as Timely Comics. In 1951, it became known as Atlas Comics. The Marvel era began in the 1960s, and they launched The Fantastic Four in 1961. Several other superhero comics were also released in partnership with Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, and Stan Lee.
The Marvel brand was solidified as the company’s primary offering. The most well-known Marvel characters include Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Doctor Strange, Captain America, Hulk, She-Hulk, Wolverine, and Captain Marvel. There are several teams of superheroes, too.
These teams include the X-men, Thunderbolts, Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. Many equally well-known supervillains include Kingpin, Loki, Galactus, Thanos, Doctor Doom, and more. Most of the characters operate in a single cohesive reality referred to as the Marvel Universe or MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). Many locations are based on real-life places, like New York City.
The Avengers movie franchise is one of the highest-grossing Marvel projects, with the long-awaited Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (both are due in 2025) set to follow in the footsteps of other projects to become major successes. Avengers: Endgame made around 900 million dollars in profit on release and brought the multiverse saga to the forefront once again; the multiverse will be revisited in 2025.
The Avengers franchise isn’t the only one with a long-awaited release, with Captain America: New World Order due for release in 2024. Captain America: The Winter Soldier grossed over 700 million dollars on release.
Marvel has published licensed content in partnership with other companies, including Star Wars comics. Additionally, Marvel has published several licensed properties from other companies.
While Disney hasn’t disclosed Marvel’s true value, the most accurate estimate of Marvel’s net worth is in the 50+ billion dollar range, according to Forbes.
Famous Marvel trademarks
Disney has long been one of the most significant trademark owners, so it’s no surprise that Marvel also owns plenty of intellectual property. The first Marvel trademarks were registered in 1947. Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known Marvel trademarks registered by Marvel Characters, Inc.
Fantastic Four
One of the first wordmarks registered by Marvel was for the Fantastic Four brand. It was first registered in 1970 and now applies to:
- Comic book and magazine publications
- T-shirts and other clothing
- Television shows and films
- Technology for recording, transmitting, processing, or reproducing sound, images, or data
- Pre-recorded downloadable audio, CDs, DVDs, and other digital media
- Downloadable electronic publications related to comic books
- Protective covers and cases for tablet computers and cellphones
- Art prints and art kits
- Baby books and printed books
- Erasers and other stationery
- Stickers and collectible trading cards
- Printed publications, including newsletters
- Toy vehicles, action playsets, action figures, and other toys
- Video game cartridges
The Incredible Hulk
Following its first use in 1962, the Incredible Hulk wordmark was registered in 1970 for use in:
- Comic book and magazine publications
Marvel
Following its first use in 1939, the wordmark Marvel was first trademarked in 1969 for use in:
- Magazine publications and comic book releases
- Pamphlets, books, and newsletters
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero that appears in Marvel Comics and movies. Steve Ditko and Stan Lee created the character. Spider-Man is one of Marvel Studios’ most recognizable characters. Following its first use in 1962, the trademark has been registered and expanded several times. The trademark now applies to:
- Magazine publications and comic book releases
- Entertainment services which are rendered through the mediums of television and film exhibitions
- Underwear, playsuits, T-shirts, overalls, and other clothing
- Playthings, dolls, water toys, lawn toys, kites, kits for hobby crafts, bats, balls, and other toys and games for children
- Mugs, cups, tumblers, and other tableware
- Toothbrushes, toothbrush holders, bath sponges, and personal grooming articles
- Wallets, backpacks, and other bags
- Posters, storybooks, and sticker books
- Book bags, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, and other school supplies
- Napkins, placemats, and other party accessories
- Bed linens, draperies, bath linens, particularly bath and hand towels and washcloths, and beach towels
- Video game cartridges
- Advertisement and promotion of goods and services related to comic strip characters
- Motion picture films featuring live-action and animated comic book characters
- Interactive video games and DVDs related to comic book characters
I am Groot
“I am Groot” is a catchphrase from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The trademark isn’t approved yet (the application was submitted in 2022), but if approved, it’ll apply in the following categories:
- Apparatus for recording, transmitting data and creating audio/video recordings
- CDs, DVDs, and high-definition discs
- Files featuring animated films and live-action TV shows
- Downloadable game software and content
- Non-fiction and fiction audiobooks
- Cellphone cases and accessories
- Cardboard, address books, newsletters, magazines, and more printed matter
- Table mats, napkins, party bags, and decorations
- Modeling clay and art supplies
- Photograph albums
- Writing paper, stamps, and stationery supplies
- Action skill games, action figures, doll clothing, chess sets, Christmas toys, and other toys and related accessories for children
- Hockey pucks, hockey sticks, golf balls, badminton sets, and other sporting goods
- Party games and party favors
- Toy trains and aircraft
- Infant wear, jackets, lingerie, ponchos, footwear, and other clothing for men, women, and children
- The creation, production, and distribution of audio and visual content, particularly motion picture films, multimedia entertainment, and TV series
- Online computer games and other entertainment services
- Live appearances by a celebrity or professional
- Amusement park or theme park services
Related: Trademarking a catch phrase
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is a new Disney+ series based on Marvel comics. The trademark was registered in 2009 and applies to:
- Comic books, magazines featuring printed stories in illustrated form, and comic book stories and artwork
- Printed periodicals in the field of comic book stories and artwork
- Online comics and adventure stories
- Recording apparatus
- Downloadable electronic publications related to comic books
- Computer hardware and accessories
- Headphones and cellphone accessories
- Temporary tattoo transfers
- Table mats, napkins, party bags, and decorations
- Modeling clay and art supplies
- Photograph albums
- Writing implements
- Children’s interactive educational books
- Cellphone cases and accessories
- Cardboard, address books, newsletters, magazines, and more printed matter
- Writing paper, stamps, and stationery supplies
- Action skill games, action figures, doll clothing, chess sets, Christmas toys, and other toys and related accessories for children
- Hockey pucks, hockey sticks, golf balls, badminton sets, and other sporting goods
- Party games and party favors
- Toy aircraft and trains
- Infant wear, jackets, lingerie, ponchos, footwear, and other clothing for men, women, and children
- The creation, production, and distribution of audio and visual content, particularly motion picture films, multimedia entertainment, and TV series
Wrapping up
Protecting your intellectual property can save you a headache – and potentially millions of dollars – further down the line. You must protect your intellectual property, especially if you own a recognizable brand.
The Marvel brand, now owned by Disney, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Including pending trademark applications such as “I am Groot,” Marvel has more than 1,000 trademarks. Trademarks include TV shows, movies, mottos, and comic books under the Marvel brand. According to Forbes, the Marvel brand is thought to have a net worth in the billions.
