Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (often known as Warner Bros) is a US-based entertainment and film company headquartered in Burbank, California. Warner Bros. was founded in 1923 by brothers Jack, Sam, Albert, and Harry Warner. The organization has established itself as an industry leader and diversified into television, animation, and video games. It’s a Motion Picture Association (MPA) member and is one of America’s ‘Big Five’ major film studios.
The company’s main arm is the Warner Bros. Pictures Group. The group includes New Line Cinema, the Warner Animation Group, Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, and DC films.
Other assets include Warner Brothers Television Studios, Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment, and a controlling interest in television network The CW, co-owned by Paramount Global.
Warner Bros operates various arms, including publishing, theater, music, and merchandising. The company’s official mascot is Bugs Bunny of the Looney Tunes.
Famous Warner Bros. trademarks
The Warner Brothers launched the corporation almost 100 years ago – it won’t be a surprise that it’s amassed an array of trademarks. Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known trademarks registered by the organization.
Warner Brothers logo
The Warner Brothers logo is a core part of the organization‘s branding and features the letters ‘WB’ in a shield design. The trademark application was initially approved in 1941. The logo is registered for use in:
- Motion pictures and motion picture films including sound, words, and music
- Motion picture films adapted for synchronization with sound, words, and music records
- Phonograph records
- Printed matter and paper goods
- Accessories and jewelry
- Homewares and soft linens
- Synchronized apparatus for simultaneously reproducing Coordinated light and sound effects and the component parts of such apparatus
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a cartoon character created in the 1930s, voiced originally by Mel Blanc. Bugs Bunny features most prominently in the Merrie Melodies series of films and Looney Tunes. Warner Bros officially registered the trademark for Bugs Bunny in 1971 for use in:
- Comic books
- Toys and toy blocks
- Magazines, coloring books, animated publications, newsletters, and other printed matter
- T-shirts, shorts, and other clothing
- Vitamins
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is an animated comedy film series produced from the 30s to the 1960s, but the trademark included many other products and merchandise. The trademark was officially registered in 1982 for use in:
- Toothpaste
- Pillows, picture frames, plastic cake toppers, decorations, non-electric fans for personal use, and closed-cell resin polymer material figures
- Candy
- Motion picture films featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, and animation, and motion picture films for broadcast on television
- Video game cartridges and discs, blank USB flash drives, downloadable printable stationery materials, including place cards, postcards, greeting cards, and stencils
- Computer game software for mobile and cellular phones; downloadable audio-visual media content in entertainment featuring animated motion pictures and television series
- Action figures, plush toys, balloons, puzzles, game equipment, and other toys
- Christmas tree decorations, Halloween decorations, and other novelty items
- Decorative floor mats for vehicles
- Sunglasses and sunglass cases
- Clocks, watches, accessories, and jewelry
- Car accessories, including seat covers
- Non-luminous and non-mechanical metal signs for decoration
- Metal keys for locks
- Decorative hair accessories, hair pins, etc.
- Lanyards for keys or badges
- Bowls, cups, glassware, and other glass, ceramic, or earthenware goods
- Embroidered patches for clothing
- Towels, bed linen, and soft home furnishings
- Clothing for men, women, and children
- Adhesive bandages
Harry Potter
Originally written by bestselling author J.K Rowling, the Harry Potter franchise is one of the most significant fantasy franchises; it’s worth billions. There are several Harry Potter trademarks, but the main wordmark was registered following its first use in 2000 and is registered for:
- Entertainment services related to live-action films
- Cookies, baking mixes, tea, hot chocolate, and other food
- Ice skates, jigsaws, swimming apparatus, toys, and sporting goods
- Clothing for men, women, and children
- Computer game software for use on mobile and cellular phones; downloadable audio-visual media content in entertainment featuring animated motion pictures and television series
- Action figures, plush toys, balloons, puzzles, game equipment, and other toys
- Christmas tree decorations, Halloween decorations, and other novelty items
- Decorative floor mats for vehicles
- Sunglasses and sunglass cases
- Clocks, watches, accessories, and jewelry
- Seat pads and deck chairs
- Car accessories, including seat covers
- Non-luminous and non-mechanical metal signs for decoration
- Metal keys for locks
- Decorative hair accessories, hair pins, etc.
- Lanyards for keys or badges
- Bowls, cups, glassware, and other ceramic or earthenware products
- Picture frames, cushions, and other homewares
Related: Can You Trademark A Book Title?
Expecto patronum
‘Expecto patronum’ is a fantasy spell used in the Harry Potter universe. The trademark was registered in 2022 following its first use in 2010. It’s registered in:
- Bags of all kinds
- Clothing for men, women, and children
- Coasters
- Bracelets and accessories
- Mobile phone accessories and cases
Muggles
‘Muggle’ is the term for non-magical humans in the Harry Potter universe. The wordmark was registered in 2000 for use in:
- Clothing for men, women, and children, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, and hoodies
- Books, notepads, sketchbooks, and printed publications
- Cookware and baking molds
- Home accessories and homewares
- Ornamental hairpins and hairbands
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The trademark application for ‘The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter’ was submitted in 2007 and approved in 2010. The trademark applies to:
- Clothing for men, women, and children
- Decorative hair accessories, hair pins, etc.
- Lanyards for keys or badges
- Bowls, cups, glassware, and other glass, ceramic, or earthenware products
- Picture frames, cushions, and other homewares
- Printed matter and paper books, including books
- Athletic bags and other bag types
- Decorative magnets
I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good
‘I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good’ is a popular quote uttered by one of the Weasley brothers in the Harry Potter movie. The phrase is loved by fans and was placed under trademark protection in 2018 following a trademark registration in several categories:
- Embroidered patches for clothing; brooches for clothing; hair accessories, namely, hair bows, ribbons, grips, slides, scrunchies, bands, and pins; bows not of paper for gift wrapping
- Bath linens, duvet covers, and other soft furnishings
- Glass, ceramic, and earthenware goods, namely, bowls, coffee cups, and cups; beverage glassware, mugs, and drinking glasses
- Tote bags, knapsacks, sack packs, drawstring bags used as backpacks, re-useable shopping bags, pouches for holding make-up, keys, and other personal items, business card cases, and wallets
- Pins, accessories, and jewelry
- Paper goods, including notepads, pens, and stationery
- Motion picture films featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, and animation, and motion picture films for broadcast on television featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, and animation
- Computer software for streaming audio-visual media content via the internet; downloadable computer software for streaming and storing audio-visual media content; downloadable audio and video players for media content with multimedia and interactive functions
- Comic books, children’s books, strategy guides, and magazines featuring characters from animated, action-adventure, comedy, or drama films
Wrapping up
Warner Bros. owns a variety of publications, including The Vampire Diaries, Harry Potter, The Goonies, and Willy Wonka. They’ve dominated show business and entertainment for around a century.
The organization is worth around 35 billion USD, including intellectual property. Intellectual property and branding can be worth more than physical property, with some trademark infringement disputes totaling millions.
Registering your trademark with the USPTO guarantees your intellectual property rights; it’s no surprise that the Warner Bros. organization owns over 1200+ registered trademarks.
