In arguably the most shocking news to jumpstart the week, Marvel and DC Comics will soon lose their joint trademark for the term “Superhero.”

Since the late 1960s, two comic book publishers have had an edge on using the term “Super Hero” – but not anymore. Here’s why things have changed.

Marvel and DC have jointly held the trademark for the word "superhero" since 1980, but no longer. The United States Patent and Trademark Office, in response to a petition from Superbabies, Limited, has canceled the trademark.

Marvel and DC have shared the "Super Hero" and "Super Heroes" trademarks since 1967, but both companies have lost that following a challenge from the creator of the Superbabies comic books. Check it out!

A U.S. Trademark Office tribunal has canceled a set of "Super Hero" trademarks jointly owned by comic giants Marvel and DC at the request of a London-based comic book artist, according to a Thursday order.

Over the weekend, Bleeding Cool reported that Marvel Comics and DC Comics had lost the rights to the trademark for "super hero."

Attorney Adam Adler petitioned for cancelation of Marvel and DC Comics' trademarks, contending the "super hero" terms were generic. "What Marvel and DC were doing is really just the opposite and contrary to the values of their own heroes,

A tribunal at the U.S. Trademark Office has canceled Marvel and DC's joint trademark on the term "Super Hero," putting it in the public domain.

A legal battle ends with the cancelation of long-held trademarks by Marvel and DC, opening the term "Super Hero" to public use.