Attorney Tim Sitzmann of Minneapolis law firm Winthrop & Weinstine noticed that magician David Copperfield, well-known for making things like jet airplanes and Orient Express rail cars seemingly disappear into thin air, has recently filed an application for registration of several "DC" trademarks with the U.S.P.T.O. Given that Mr. Copperfield's initials are "D" and "C" this probably isn't very surprising.
But what is surprising is that there are a number of established companies who already hold registered trademarks for the "DC" initials, including entertainment behemoth DC Comics, which has held a registered mark for those letters since 1940. The truly astonishing part of the story is the fact that the PTO did not refuse the Copperfield registration applications based on any likelihood of confusion. TO the contrary, they have been accepted.
Did David Copperfield use slight of hand to pull the proverbial trademark rabbit out of the PTO's hat? Perhaps. Now, we'll have to see if he can work his magic to avoid opposition from DC Comics, DC Shoes, and a myriad of others with preexisting trademark registrations.
For Mr. Sitzmann's original article, check it out at Copperfield Trademark Magic.
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