In the ongoing legal tiff over use of the name “Comic Con,” San Diego Comic-Con International are now suing Salt Lake Comic Con and its organizers. This follows a previous cease and desist letter alleging trademark infringement over the term “comic con.”
San Diego CC claims the use of the name “Comic Con” is intended to “suggest, mislead and confuse consumers into believing that the Salt Lake Comic Con is associated with, authorized by, endorsed or sponsored by” them,. Meanwhile Salt Lake CC point out dozens of other conventions that are named “Comic Con” across the country.
Salt Lake Comic Con organizers say the lawsuit will not interfere with its upcoming event, set for September 4 – 6.
And I think that’s the bottom line right there. While I hate to see fighting over this, we’ll get our Salt Lake Comic Con in less than a month while this plays out in court. Is there seriously that big of a deal over a hyphen? I love San Diego Comic-Con. And I’m super stoked for Salt Lake.
Here’s Salt Lake Comic Con’s official press release:
San Diego Comic-Con International Files Lawsuit Against Salt Lake Comic Con
DETAILS:
San Diego Comic Convention has filed a lawsuit against Dan Farr Productions, LLC, Newspaper Agency Company, LLC, Daniel Farr and Bryan Brandenburg in the United States District Court, Southern District of California. The complaint is for federal trademark infringement and false designation of origin. Based on conversations with San Diego Comic-Con International the lawsuit was expected. Salt Lake Comic Con organizers are confident in their case and this legal action will not affect the comic con taking place September 4-6.
Salt Lake Comic Con 2014 is September 4-6, 2014 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Show organizers want to assure fans, partners, sponsors and the public that the show will go on. In fact, Salt Lake Comic Con 2014 will feature more than 200 celebrity guests and comic artists. The latest celebrity guest list can be found here and includes Hulk Hogan, Patrick Warburton and over 40 other celebrities, some still to be announced between now and the convention.
To review the lawsuit, press articles and other details of the case, click here.
Who:
Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer
Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer