The legal issue with the name "Wonder Girl" stems from trademark disputes and copyright conflicts involving various comic book publishers. Several characters have used the name "Wonder Girl" in different comic book series, leading to legal battles over ownership and infringement of intellectual property rights.
Here's an overview of the legal issues associated with the name "Wonder Girl":
1. DC Comics vs. All-American Comics:
The original "Wonder Girl," created by William Moulton Marston, first appeared in *All-Star Comics #8* (1941) published by All-American Publications, which later merged with National Comics Publications to form DC Comics. However, DC Comics did not secure a registered trademark for the name "Wonder Girl" at the time.
2. Charlton Comics' Wonder Girl:
In the 1960s, Charlton Comics introduced their own character called "Wonder Girl" in their comic book series *Captain Atom.* This led to a legal dispute with DC Comics, which argued that the use of the name "Wonder Girl" infringed on their trademark rights.
3. DC Comics' Second Wonder Girl:
In 1964, DC Comics introduced their second "Wonder Girl," Donna Troy, who became the sidekick to Wonder Woman. This move was likely a strategic attempt to protect their trademark rights to the name.
4. Marvel Comics' Ms. Marvel:
In 1977, Marvel Comics introduced the character "Ms. Marvel," who initially had a similar name and costume to DC's Wonder Girl. However, Marvel changed the character's name to "Captain Marvel" to avoid potential legal issues with DC.
5. DC Comics' Trademarks:
Throughout the years, DC Comics diligently secured trademarks for various iterations of the name "Wonder Girl." This includes the original Wonder Girl, Donna Troy, and other characters who adopted the name.
6. Cancellation of All-American Comics' Trademark:
In 2001, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cancelled All-American Comics' trademark for the name "Wonder Girl," citing abandonment and non-use of the mark.
7. Settlement between DC Comics and Charlton Comics:
In 2013, DC Comics and Charlton Comics reached a settlement agreement regarding the use of several characters, including Wonder Girl. Under the terms of the settlement, DC Comics would control all rights to the character.
8. Current Trademark Ownership:
Currently, DC Comics holds the registered trademarks for the name "Wonder Girl" in various forms, including Donna Troy and other characters who have used the moniker in DC's comic book series.
In conclusion, the legal issues surrounding the name "Wonder Girl" primarily arise from trademark disputes between comic book publishers, with DC Comics seeking to protect their ownership and usage rights to the name, while other publishers have faced challenges in using similar names due to potential infringement.