Marvel to unveil new social networking service called Blip

Activision recently announced its foray into online social networking with “Call of Duty Elite” rolling out this November, and now it appears as if Marvel the comics giant, will be launching its own service called “Blip”.

According to eight recent filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (submitted on June 14) Marvel has some big plans. 

All the applications centered on “Blip” and “Blip.com”. 

In addition to the trademark applications, Marvel also acquired the domain name (which currently doesn’t resolve) this month according to WHOIS records.  The owner switched from Future Publishing Ltd to Marvel.

Registrant:
        Richie Waite
        Marvel Characters, Inc.
        1600 Rosecrans Ave Suite 350
         Manhattan Beach CA 90266
        US
        [email protected]  

    Domain Name: blip.com        Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
        Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
        Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com

Marvel hasn’t revealed any details on Blip or even discussed it publicly.  The only evidence of the company’s plans are the trademark filings and domain acquisition.

What kind of trademarks did Marvel apply for? 

Here’s a quick look at the trademarks that were submitted for “Blip” and “Blip.com”.

IC 045. US 100 101. G & S: social networking services; providing computer game software, applications and development tools to social networking websites for entertainment purposes and to enhance social networking experiences; providing an Internet website portal featuring social networking opportunities, applications, computer games and links to other websites for the purpose of social networking.

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game programmes downloadable via the Internet; Computer game programs; Computer game software; Computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; Computer software development tools; Computer software, namely, game engine software for video game development and operation; Downloadable computer game programs; Downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; Downloadable computer programs featuring positionable game piece figures for use in the field of computer games; Interactive multimedia computer game program; Interactive video game programs; Interactive video games of virtual reality comprised of computer hardware for use with an external monitor and software; Video game software.

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: computer services, namely, software development services, computer programming, design, development and deployment of computer games, video games, online games, game related applications and development tools for others; computer game development and integration services; providing a website on the internet for hosting computer games; providing a website featuring non-downloadable software tools for use in accessing, playing and tracking performance regarding computer games provided online and via computers, mobile computers and wireless devices, and for communicating with other players of such games, and for creating and hosting micro websites for others

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing a web site featuring photographic, video and prose presentations featuring news and information regarding computer games, computer game enhancements and development tools, social networking tools and opportunities, and links to other web sites that feature computer games and related news and information; Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; Providing information on-line relating to computer games and computer enhancements for games; Provision of information relating to electronic computer games provided via the Internet.

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346078
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346074
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346071
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346069
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346029
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346028
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346026
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85345993

Discussion: Newsarama

(Photo of Marvel Characters via Marvel.com)