No, the fourth planet from the sun did not attack Topps' intellectual property. Rather, the Topps Company continued its recent spate of trademark application filings with its latest: the mark “Mars Attacks" to be used with skins for mobile phones, MP3 players and tablet computers.
The trademark filing is provided below:
| Word Mark | MARS ATTACKS |
| Goods and Services | IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Fitted plastic films known as skins for covering and protecting electronic apparatus, namely mobile phones, MP3 players, tablet computers and tablet computers; downloadable video game software |
| Standard Characters Claimed | |
| Mark Drawing Code | (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK |
| Serial Number | 85403508 |
| Filing Date | August 22, 2011 |
| Current Filing Basis | 1B |
| Original Filing Basis | 1B |
| Owner | (APPLICANT) The Topps Company, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE One Whitehall Street New York NEW YORK 10004 |
| Attorney of Record | Andrew Baum |
| Prior Registrations | 1859156 |
| Type of Mark | TRADEMARK |
| Register | PRINCIPAL |
| Live/Dead Indicator | LIVE |
Mars Attacks was a trading card series released in the 1962 that described an invasion of Earth by sinister Martians. The graphic depictions, created a stir on school playgrounds. Today, Mars Attacks remains one of the most popular and recognizable entertainment card brands in the hobby. Topps released additional merchandise based on Mars Attacks in more recent years including new cards and comic books. Tim Burton released a film based on the series in 1996.
The trademark hints that Topps may be embarking on another release of “Mars Attacks" merchandise. Fingers crossed that there are skins like this.
The information provided in Paul Lesko's “Law of Cards" column is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues commonly encountered in the sports industry. This information is not intended to create any legal relationship between Paul Lesko, the Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC or any attorney and the user. Neither the transmission nor receipt of these website materials will create an attorney-client relationship between the author and the readers.
The views expressed in the “Law of Cards" column are solely those of the author and are not affiliated with the Simmons Law Firm. You should not act or rely on any information in the “Law of Cards" column without seeking the advice of an attorney. The determination of whether you need legal services and your choice of a lawyer are very important matters that should not be based on websites or advertisements.
 |
