In the world of IP, work can also be play. Utilizing the very information you use every day, you can potentially uncover interesting insights related to big blockbusters before the credits are ever rolled.
The Avengers: Infinity War
Let’s take a look at one of the biggest titles coming out this year- Avengers: Infinity War. If we dive into Marvel Studio’s most recent filings, clues start to emerge. Looking at these filings can potentially uncover surprises in the film, directions for future installments, or simply interesting factoids to arm yourself with for your next family barbeque.
Leaving a Trail of Trademarks
An easy way to canvas potential revelations is to look for what trademarks a company has been filing.
A survey of our database uncovered a slew of recent trademarks that could indicate new characters or directions for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As recently as January 4TH of 2018, a subsidiary of Marvel filed for trademarks on two new characters, Multiple Man and Ghost Spider. Without falling too far down the rabbit hole of speculation, it is safe to say these two trademarks are indicators of valuable IP worth protecting. While it’s possible these two characters will never grace the silver screen, using the data we work with every day can allow us to at least throw our hat in the ring when the next discussion turns to superheroes.
In order to protect their assets from infringement and gain the proper protections for their Intangible properties, companies file trademarks with the USPTO. The names and likeness of characters can be candidates for such a protection.
Potential Spoilers
While Marvel’s recent trademark filings say nothing for certain about future Marvel blockbusters, it’s not the first time IP protection has preceded a big twist. In fact, Marvel is no stranger to this exact practice. When the 2016 smash hit Captain America: Civil War came to theaters, fans had just been introduced to a new pint-sized hero aptly named Ant-Man. As the name suggests, Ant-Man is able to shrink down to the size of an ant. A lesser-known fact of the hero, though, is his ability to become Giant-Man and grow in stature. When this ability was revealed in the film and the usually diminutive hero grew to Giant Man to tower over his peers, audiences were pleasantly surprised. However, a simple look at Marvel’s filings would have given away this inclusion. A little over a month before the movies premier, Marvel filed a trademark for the one and only Giant Man.
Giant Man Trademark Profile
Source: ktMINE data includes 9.1 million trademark and 4.2 million trademark assignment records from the USPTO.
As you can see, IP permeates our culture in hidden ways that most aren’t even aware of. Sometimes to stay in the know, all you have to do is your job!
We’ll be at INTA, the world’s largest trademark conference, on May 19- 23rd. If you’re attending, we would like to meet you. Schedule a meeting with us!
