Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Trademark

  

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Trademark

by Susan Basko, esq. 

I answered this question on Quora: Is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’s character copyrighted?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a song, a movie, etc. and these have Copyright protections. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is also a trademark registered by Trust of the author, Robert L. May, for use on books, films, games, toys, etc. It has been registered since the 1980s. 

The specimens on file with the U.S. Trademark Office show a Viewmaster slide show of Rudolph, a story book signed by the author, a coloring book, an RCA Victor phonograph record, and a pair of bedroom slippers with a reindeer head. It is safe to say the character of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is as legally well-protected as Mickey Mouse. Subsequent attempts by others to register trademarks on any Rudolph Reindeer-related goods or services have all failed and gone dead. 

The registration information is shown below, and above is a photo of the specimen provided of the coloring book and slippers.

  Word Mark

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

Goods and Services

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Filmstrips With [ and Without ] Sound Tracks. FIRST USE: 19470000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19470000

IC 016. US 037 038. G & S: Coloring and Activity Books. FIRST USE: 19470000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19470000

IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: [ Equipment Sold as a Unit for Playing Board and Dart Board Games, ] Stuffed Toys, Christmas Tree Ornaments, Hand Puppets and Jigsaw Puzzles. FIRST USE: 19470000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19470000

Mark Drawing Code

(1) TYPED DRAWING

Serial Number

73268848

Filing Date

July 3, 1980

Current Basis

1A

Original Filing Basis

1A

Published for Opposition

October 9, 1984

Registration Number

1309723

Registration Date

December 18, 1984

Owner

(REGISTRANT) State National Bank of Evanston, co-trustees of Robert L. May, trust under will banking association UNITED STATES Orrington at Davis Evanston ILLINOIS 60204

(LAST LISTED OWNER) RUDOLPH COMPANY, L.P,, THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP DELAWARE 910 RAILROAD AVENUE NOVATO CALIFORNIA 94945

Assignment Recorded

ASSIGNMENT RECORDED

Type of Mark

TRADEMARK

Register

PRINCIPAL

Affidavit Text

SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20150110.

Renewal

2ND RENEWAL 20150110

Live/Dead Indicator

LIVE