Watch out! Superman is watching

If you're a fan of DC Comics, you're likely familiar with iconic superheroes like Superman and the gritty world of Watchmen.

The Superman logo, often referred to as the shield, made its debut in the inaugural Action Comics #1 by DC Comics in 1938. Initially, it was merely an inverted triangle with the letter 'S' inside. However, over the years, this emblem evolved into a widely recognized and distinct trademark.

The Superman logo is well-protected, and not without reason: recently the trademark Superwatchman, a Swedish media company and ecommerce platform specialising in watches, has received an opposition from DC Comics. DC argues that their trademark could lead to market confusion, giving Superwatchman an unfair advantage and potentially diminishing the distinctiveness and reputation of DC’s beloved heroes.

The logo has a striking resemblance to Superman’s shield, which alone could be enough to constitute a trademark infringement. The fact that Superwatchman has introduced their brand including the revered names ‘Superman’ and ‘Watchmen’ makes it especially problematic. Although the opposition is still ongoing, we can guess what the result will be. In the meantime, we’ll keep watch…

Author: Isabel Teeuwissen