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Super Duper Loses Trademark Battle with Mattel Over “And Say”

A trial court has ruled in favor of Mattel in a lawsuit against Super Duper, a small publisher of special education materials, in a case regarding Super Duper’s right to use “and Say” in educational materials. Super Duper, started 22 years ago in Greenville, S.C., publishes workbooks, card decks, and games for autistic and other learning-disabled children.

In March 2004, Mattel opposed a trademark registration filed by Super Duper for use for the name “Sort and Say” on a line of special education magnetic games. In 2005, Mattel filed to cancel Super Duper’s registered marks of Fish & Say, Fold and Say, and See It!, Say It!. Consequently, Super Duper filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to find that its 15 “Say” trademarks did not infringe on any of Mattel’s trademarks. Mattel claimed that Super Duper’s “Say” trademarks infringed on its See ‘N Say electronic pull toy and asked the court to prevent Super Duper from publishing any materials with the 15 marks and also sought $10 million in damages.

Sprout Premieres Two New Nightly Shows

Preschool television network Sprout has premiered two new exclusive nightly shows, Nina’s Little Fables at 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET, and Chloe’s Closet 5:45 p.m. ET.

Nina’s Little Fables features 26 classic fables adapted for young audiences and illustrated with shadow puppetry animation. The series premiered on June 28. Chloe’s Closet follows the adventures of a little girl named Chloe who discovers new worlds while playing dress-up in her closet; the series premiered in the U.S. on July 12.

MGA Entertainment Expands Moxie Girlz Line for Fall

MGA Entertainment has announced plans to expand its Moxie Girlz doll brand with the introduction of Moxie Teenz, 14-inch dolls that feature realistic eyes, interchangeable wigs, and 15 points of articulation. The line features four dolls— Melrose, Arizona, Tristen, and Bijou—who do everything from attend college to perform on Broadway. A full line of Moxie Teenz products, including dolls and wig, fashion, and accessory packs, will be available in the fall.

MGA will also partner with Burger King from August 23 to September 12 for a series of branded premiums for girls that will include Moxie Girlz Wrist Bags, Moxie Girlz Light-Up Pendants, and Moxie Girlz Bracelets.

Additionally, MGA will release Moxie Girlz Magic Snow, featuring previously introduced dolls in the line sporting snow outfits, a winter purse and fashion goggles, a sled, and snow powder.

CBS Announces Plethora of TV Products From Comic-Con

Yesterday at Comic-Con in San Diego, CBS Consumer Products and its affiliates announced a slew of new products based on the Star Trek brand.

Hallmark will release a lineup of Christmas 2010 ornaments based on the Star Trek property, including Captain Kirk, Spock, Kirk vs. Spock/“Amok Time,” and the U.S.S. Enterprise from the 2009 movie. Hallmark is also giving a sneak peak at its holiday 2011 prototypes.

IDW‘s lineup of new graphic novels and comic books will include those based on Star Trek, while Rocket World has announced the release of limited-edition Starfleet I.W.G. figurines that feature Original Series accessories. Rubie’s will release a new series of The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Star Trek costumes including a Gorn mask and Spock romper, and to promote its Starfleet Academy young adult books, due out in December, Simon and Schuster is handing out postcards for advanced reader copies.

In Twilight Zone news, Bif Bang Pow revealed four new eight-inch action figures depicting the Gremlin, Masked Man, Kanamit, and Devil. Eight more bobble heads and figurines are expected to be announced later during Comic-Con.

Photo Credit: TrekMovie.com

Talicor Named Distributor for GDC

Talicor has been named the U.S. Distributor for GDC GameDevCo, Ltd. Through this relationship, Talicor has added to its product line games such as KISS DVD Board Game, Elvis DVD Board Game, Diamond Crosswords, TNA Wrestling DVD Board Game, and Vital Statistics Board Game. Other games include the Decision Day Fantasy Sports games, which come in Baseball, Basketball, Football, and Hockey versions. The game play is similar to controlling your own fantasy team as you race to win the championship. These Fantasy Sports board games come with collectible sports cards that can be used during game play. You can also incorporate cards from your own collection. Finally, a new Dexter Board Game based on Showtime’s Dexter television series is set to release in September.

Photo Credit: Talicor.com

Toy, Game, and Technology Summit to Come in September

Leaders from around the toy, video game, and technology industries will converge in Santa Clara, Calif., this fall to generate cross-platform relations. From September 22 – 23, the Toy, Game, & Technology Summit will allow executives to learn from each other as each develops new products for young people.

The summit will focus on pressing toy companies to adopt digital assets, as well as helping video game and technology companies learn how to better establish partnerships with traditional toy manufacturers. The event, sponsored by the Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA), features industry leaders such as Joseph Olin, president Academy of Interactive Arts and Science; TIA President Carter Keithley (pictured above); Reyne Rice, trend specialist at TIA; and Anita Frazier, toys and video games industry analyst at The NPD Group.

The event will take place at the Santa Clara Convention Center. TIA members will receive 15 percent off admission, and more information can be found by clicking here.

Bakugan Battle League to Storm Toys “R” Us Stores

Spin Master is teaming with Toys “R” Us to bring Bakugan tournaments to 300 stores nationwide. The Bakugan Battle League will last five months beginning this Saturday, July 24, and will run until Saturday, November 13. Participants bring their own Bakugan Battle Brawlers to the event and can work their way up a ladder.

As a part of the unique, story-based league, how kids play events can directly affect how the story unfolds. Each game point won during the course of the league will count as a vote for what they want to happen next. Participants will receive a Bakugan membership card, league book, exclusive Special Ability Card as well as be able to receive gifts during giveaways. A special commemorative certificate, available to those who complete the league, will be presented during the finale.

A full list of dates, as well as a list of participating Toys “R” Us, can be found after the jump.

Video Game Based on Silly Bandz in the Works

Zoo Publishing is partnering with Silly Bandz to create and publish a new video game based on the company’s variously shaped, rubber band bracelets. The video game is expected to release for the iPhone and iTouch in September, with a Nintendo DS version appearing during the holiday season.

Rainbow Designs Granted Wibbly Pig License

BBC Worldwide has granted a master toy license for its preschool children’s brand Wibbly Pig to Rainbow Designs. Wibbly Pig is based on the books by Mick Inkpen and the television series adapted by Will Brenton.

Rainbow Designs will develop a line of products including Wibbly Pig wooden toys, plush, games, and puzzles, with the first set appearing in February. Subsequent sets are slated for summer 2011 and early 2012, with a possible expansion into the homeware category.

New Green Products For Babies and Early-Elementary

On the heels of innovativeKids‘ 10th anniversary comes the company’s new line of “green start” products. The Green Start line, for children 1.5 to 6 years old, are designed to teach children the importance of sustaining the earth.

Each of innovativeKids’ puzzles, books, plush, and gift wrap is made from “98 percent post-consumer recycled materials” and eco-friendly ink. Books include Little Helpers and Animals Everywhere, which feature non-fiction content and a parent guide at the end to help encourage exploration and a green mentality. Endangered plush box sets include a three-inch plush of either a polar bear, penguin, gorilla, or elephant as well as a storybook. Stuffed with recycled soda bottles, the plush are 100 percent earth-friendly and made from organic cotton.

Most of the products fall below the $10 margin, if only by a penny, and are available at Amazon.com and retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.