In 2016 I applied to register the words "Real Estate Superhero" with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Back in 2013 I had registered Captain Vancouver with no opposition so I didn't think there would be any concern with "Real Estate Superhero".
 
POW! Was I wrong! Within a couple of weeks of my application being published in the trademark journal I got a letter from Superman himself (well actually it was his lawyer … more specifically, a DC Comics lawyer). Turns out Superman in particular doesn't want anyone to use the word 'Superhero' and they have been going around the world telling everyone that. Some have fought back while others have relented … the Kryptonite was just too strong I guess. The irony is that there were 'tons' of other 'superhero' trademarks that had been approved before in Canada including the word Super Hero! (with an exclamation mark). Superman was cherry picking who he was going after which didn't really make sense to me?
 
In my case, not only did Superman take issue with my using the word 'Superhero' he also didn't like my Superhero uniform including my blue superhero shirt. Any legitimate Superhero will tell you it is better to make friends than enemy's so I told Superman I would change a few things visually just to make him happy. So, began my series called Letters to Superman where I attempted to work through our ‘Superhero battle’ piece by piece including comparisons to Superman's red briefs (I would never wear red underwear, let alone over tights). The only thing Superman and I had in common was that we both lived in Smallville at one point. Immediately my 'Letters to Superman' was picked up locally and then nationally and even internationally. I got lots of messages of support from people right across Canada sympathizing that my super powers were under attack by Superman.
 

 
Eventually I talked Superman off the ledge and we began working on a compromise. I agreed to remove the ‘REALTOR’ logo from my chest and change the colours around a bit as a ‘goodwill gesture’ between ‘Superheros’. Our new look is all about navigating Vancouver real estate with ‘Captain Vancouver’ as your real estate superhero guide.
 
Now it looks like my superhero story is going to be made into a documentary short. Stay tuned…this superhero story hasn't ended just yet!
 

Comic Artist: Bernardo Garcia / New Proposed Logo
 

Captain Vancouver vs Superman over the word "Superhero"

 
Superman vs Captain Vancouver - View Press Release (pdf)
Superman threatens to sue Captain Vancouver - View Letter from Superman's Lawyer (pdf)
Superman's Statement of Opposition - View Letter opposing "Real Estate Superhero" trademark (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #1 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #2 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #3 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #4 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #5 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)
Captain Vancouver responds to Superman - View Letter #6 to Superman's lawyer (pdf)

 

Worldwide Press

 
Metro News (Jan 25) - DC Comics threatens to sue self anointed Vancouver "Superhero" Realtor
CTV News (Jan 25) - DC Comics sends copyright warning to 'superhero' Vancouver realtor
CTV National (Jan 26) - DC Comics send copyright warning to "superhero" Vancouver Realtor
Daily Hive (Jan 26) - Vancouver Realtor spars with Superman
Superman Home Page (Jan 25) - DC Comics Sends Copyright Warning to Vancouver Realtor
Superman Supersite (Jan 25) - Realtor faces DC Lawsuit Over Superman Themed Shield
Morrison Lee - DC Comics foreclosing on the real estate superhero
Nigeria Law - Real Estate Superhero receives warning over Superman copyright
The Net 24h (Jan 25) - DC Comics threatens to sue self anointed Vancouver "Superhero" Realtor
Pressreader - Captain Vancouver in Battle over DC Comics
Pressreader - Legal Kryponite
Facebook - DC Comics vs. Vancouver real estate agent
Paul Liberatore - 'Real estate superhero' hit with copyright warning from DC Comics
Capital Law UK - The comic book giant claimed proprietary rights over the term deriving from as far back as the origin of Superman
Urban Toronto - A local real estate agent may be facing legal kryptonite after DC Comics threatened to sue him over his brand, 'Real Estate Superhero.'

 

Media (Free to download and publish with credit)

 
AUDIO
Captain Vancouver Audio Introduction with music for Radio/TV (60 second)
Captain Vancouver Audio Introduction with music for Radio/TV (30 second)

 
You are welcome to use the following print quality media with credit for news stories or articles.
To contact Captain Vancouver for interviews, please contact amy@captainvancouver.com