Quote:
Originally Posted by Dngrsone
Just because a character/concept is still capable of making money, it doesn't mean someone can sit on the copyright/trademark forever.
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That is exactly what it means.
As long as you are actually *trying* to make money off a trademark the law says nobody can muscle in, no matter how brilliant or creative they might be. You don't even have to be making money off the property, just be able to police its use.
If Doyle had trademarked SHERLOCK HOLMES, the estate would've won, hands down. Absent an active trademark, they're out of luck.
The owners of the James Bond trademarks have had issues defending aspects of their products precisely for not registering their trademark in a timely fashion.
http://www.mondaq.com/x/84656/Tradem...es+Bond+Brands