Copyright Vs Trademarks

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping that someone has an answer to my question regarding DC comics registering the trademark for the name "Superboy" and how this trademark can stop its creators from using the title,
As I said before surely the whole point of copyright is to protect the creator and I do realise that you cant copyright a name, however If a trademark can stop a creator from using the title of one of his creations then doesn't that make the very nature of copyright somewhat Impotent?.

Is there a law that stops companies from applying for a trademark on a pre-existing copyright? or is a registering a trademark in relation to an already pre-existing copyrighted comic character the way that companies get around creators reclaiming their works?

This is important to me as I am involved in a case directly relating to this and I don't understand US law in relation to this situation, so if someone could help, I would be grateful

Regards

Jake Received on Fri Apr 28 2006 - 02:26:30 GMT