Hong-Kong’s Wanda Group Challenges Marvel’s WandaVision Trademark

Apart from delays and natural causes, what amounts to postponement of movie release? The answer is legal battles. In light of motion pictures and films, intellectual property conflicts oftentimes act as a hurdle hindering with the success of movies leading to continuous pushing back of launch dates. This time, the determined take-off of much-awaited Marvel production, WandaVision seems improbable owing to an unexpected trademark battle against the Hong Kong-based Wanda Group.

WandaVision is one amongst the highly anticipated Marvel TV shows about to set their grounds on Disney+. The show focuses upon main characters casting Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as Vision along with brilliant set of side cast featuring Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, Kat Dennings as Darcy and Randall Park as Agent Jimmy Woo, all ready for its debut in December 2020. Directed by Matt Shakman with Jac Schaeffer as head writer, WandaVision is not going to be a simple MCU project. As suggested by experts, the series draws a picture of 1950s mingled up with classic sitcoms, hinting most-favourite comic books in a big screen style. Of course, after its successful release, Marvel shall proceed with trademarking ‘WandaVision’. Little did Marvel know, the journey shall be hit by a trademark bump months before its launch?

The Wanda Group Limited of Hong Kong was founded in the year 1988 and at present, is headquartered in Beijing. The Group owns a number of Wanda theatres across the country and is a major shareholder of AMC Theatres, Legendary Entertainment and Hoyts. Although, primarily engaged in the theatre business, Wanda has registered its mark in numerous trademark classes including action figures, board games, tennis rackets, stuffed toys and even balloons.

The ultimate hitch came front after BleedingCool reported, “The Wanda Group Ltd has been given an extension by the US government to challenge Marvel over the WandaVision trademark. The Wanda Group have registered trademarks for Wanda in many areas, but the ones they are challenging Marvel over include Action skill games; action figures; board games; card games; children’s multiple activity toys; badminton sets; balloons; basketballs; bath toys; baseball bats; baseballs; beach balls; bean bags; bean bag dolls; bobblehead dolls; bowling balls; bubble making wand and solution sets; chess sets; toy imitation cosmetics.”

As of now, there is no clear-cut indication as in which direction the dispute filings shall proceed. However, owing to a huge global repute, it stands unquestionable that Wanda Group shall not permit Marvel to trademark a significant part of their name.