Batman takes on Valencia in trademark infringement claim

I guess DC Comics have attorneys with too much time on their hands, no knowledge of Spanish history, or both.  They have filed papers with the relevant European Union agency claiming Valencia's use of a bat (specifically, a black bat with raised wings, different from the bat on their crest) constitutes a trademark infringment of their Batman symbol.

As Business Insider points out, this is a really dumb claim.  First, Valencia's use of the bat goes back to the founding of the club (1919), appears in the city crest, and is used by many other clubs.   Second, the bat as a symbol of the city of Valencia goes back to 1238; one of them landed on the flag of James I of Aragon when he took back the city from the Moors.

Second, DC Comics have changed the Batman logo constantly, so to make a claim based on a particular variant of the bat is really difficult to understand.

However, in looking at the graphic, I can't help but note that a couple of the comic company's recent Batman logos (especially the second from the left in the bottom row) have a round wing edge, very similar to that in Valencia's club crest.

So, my suggestion is that Valencia countersue for millions themselves claiming DC Comics infringed THEIR symbol.  Hey, if they work it right, maybe they can negotiate a deal whereby DC Comics pays enough to finish the Neu Mestalla, which then gets named Batman Stadium.  "Hey, let's head over to the Batman and catch the match!" I like that.

And even if that doesn't work out, at least Valencia fans can take some solace from the fact that they now are financially solvent enough to become a target of spurious lawsuits!!! That's real progress!!