According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Marvel and Sony have renewed three Sinister Six related trademarks. The first two are for merchandise and toys, but the third is very interesting:
IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S:
Paper; cardboard; address books; almanacs; appointment books; art prints; autograph books; baby books; ball point pens; baseball cards; binders; bookends; bookmarks; publications, namely, magazines, newsletters and printed periodicals in the field of comic book stories and artwork; series of fiction books; books, magazines, newsletters and periodicals featuring stories, games and activities for children; bumper stickers; calendars; cartoon strips; Christmas cards; chalk; children's activity books; coasters made of paper; coin albums; coloring books; printed children's coloring pages; color pencils; comic books; comic strips; coupon books; crayons; decals; decorative paper centerpieces; diaries; drawing rulers; dry erase writing boards and writing surfaces; envelopes; erasers; felt pens; foam marking stamps; flash cards; gift wrapping paper; globes; greeting cards; guest books; general feature magazines; maps; markers; memo pads; modeling clay; newspapers; note paper; notebooks; notebook paper; paintings; paper flags; paper cake decorations; paper gift cards; paper party decorations; paper napkins; paper party bags; paperweights; paper gift wrap bows; paper pennants; paper place mats; paper table cloths; pen or pencil holders; pencils; pencil sharpeners; pen and pencil cases and boxes; pens; photograph albums; photographs; photo-engravings; pictorial prints; picture books; paper shopping bags; portraits; postcards; posters; printed awards; printed certificates; printed invitations; printed menus; recipe books; rubber stamps; school supply kits containing various combinations of selected school supplies, namely, writing instruments, pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, highlighter pens, folders, notebooks, paper, protractors, paper clips, pencil sharpeners, writing grips, glue and book marks; score cards; stamp albums; staplers; stationery; stickers; trading cards. temporary tattoos; writing paper; writing implements; albums for trading cards; blank journal books; book covers; paper lunch bags; patterns for costumes and embroidery designs; role playing game equipment in the nature of game book manuals; scrapbooks; scrapbook pages
IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S:
Action skill games; action figures and accessories therefor; board games; card games; children's multiple activity toys; badminton sets; balloons; basketballs; bath toys; baseball bats; baseballs; beach balls; bean bags; bean bag dolls; toy building blocks; bowling balls; bubble making wands and solution sets; chess sets; children's play cosmetics; Christmas stockings; Christmas tree ornaments and decorations; collectable toy figures; crib mobiles; crib toys; disc toss toys; dolls; doll clothing; doll accessories; doll playsets; electric action toys; equipment sold as a unit for playing card games; fishing tackle; footballs; golf balls; golf gloves; golf ball markers; hand-held units for playing electronic games other than those adapted for use with or without an external display screen or monitor; hockey pucks; hockey sticks; infant toys; inflatable toys; jigsaw puzzles; jump ropes; kites; magic tricks; marbles; manipulative games; mechanical toys; music box toys; musical toys; parlor games; party favors in the nature of small toys; paper party favors; paper party hats; party games; playing cards; plush toys; puppets; roller skates; rubber balls; skateboards; snow boards; snow globes; soccer balls; spinning tops; squeeze toys; stuffed toys; table tennis balls; table tennis paddles and rackets; table tennis tables; talking toys; target games; teddy bears; tennis balls; tennis rackets; toy action figures and accessories therefor; toy bucket and shovel sets; toy mobiles; toy vehicles; toy scooters; toy cars; toy model hobbycraft kits; toy figures; toy banks; toy trucks; toy watches; toy weapons; video game machines for use with televisions; volleyballs; wind-up toys; yo-yos. balls for games; battery operated action toys; bendable toys; construction toys; fishing rods; game tables; inflatable inner tubes for aquatic recreational use; inflatable swimming pools; piñatas; radio controlled toy vehicles; role playing games; snow sleds for recreational use; stacking toys; surf boards; swim fins; toy furniture; toy gliders; toy masks; toy model train sets; water slides
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S:
Production and distribution of motion picture films, radio programs, television programs, and animated television programs; production of sound recordings; video production services; multimedia entertainment services in the nature of recording, production, and post-production services in the fields of music, video, and motion picture films; entertainment services, namely, an on-going series of animated television programs; entertainment, namely, production of live visual and audio performances, and musical, variety, news, and comedy shows recorded for the purpose of distribution through broadcast media; non-downloadable electronic publications in the nature of comic books and graphic novels; entertainment services, namely, providing online electronic games; providing a website featuring entertainment information relating to motion picture films, television shows, animated television programs, music videos, comic books, video games, related film clips, photographs and other multimedia materials; amusement park and theme park services; entertainment services rendered in amusement parks and theme parks, namely, live stage shows, live amusement park performances, live performances by costumed characters, and live theatrical performances; presentation of live show performances; entertainment in the nature of theater productions; entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional entertainer Standard Characters Claimed
Now the obvious assumption that could be made of this is that the project is now back on at Sony Pictures, but I noticed something that could be very interesting: that this renewal also mentions television programs. Could it be that it's being revived for a Netflix project? Or is it one of the two mystery Marvel shows in development with ABC Studios? It certainly would make sense if John Ridley's project were kept such a secret if it were Spider-Man related, like how this one is. Another thing to keep in mind is that Paul Lee at TCA this week mentioned a second comedy show with Marvel being in development at ABC Studios (which is not, as some reports did not note, the same as being developed for the ABC Channel; all the Netflix shows are done through ABC Studios). While you might not think the SInister Six lends itself to comedy, there was a run featuring the team under the title Superior Foes of Spider-Man fairly recently.
Could it be possible we may see a comedic adaptation of the Sinister Six either on ABC or Netflix? Only time will tell, but one way or the other the signs seem to indicate that Marvel has plans for the property in one form or another. Leave a comment below on what you think!