Despite not publishing Fantastic Four comic books anymore, Marvel Comics has recently contested a trademark registration from another comic book publisher for the name "Mister Fantastic".

It has also registered a trademark for "The Invisible Woman", possibly in the light of a rather uniquely granted license to Hasbro to create an Invisible Woman comic book based on the sixties cartoon and using the HERBIE robot as well.

However, it has received some blowback in this regard. The Trademark Office of the USA has refused the request, as it is seen as to close to the Universal Studios-held trademark on "The Invisible Man" based on their use of the character, itself based on the now-public-domain HG Wells character.

But all is not lost, Marvel have asked for a suspension on this decision, in light of another trademark battle between MultiCom Entertainment who own the Invisible Man TV show and Universal Studios who made the movies. MultiComare fighting for the Invisible Man trademark to be cancelled – in which case Marvel would have no opposition from Universal to register opposition.

Indeed it looks like Marvel waited for this trademark battle to try and seize the day, after having a few battles with Universal over the character in the past.

Of course, Marvel aren't actually publishing any Fantastic Four comics right now – could that harm their case?