History

Copyrights in MOTU (Part Three: 1983)

In previous posts I’ve covered trademarks and patents in Masters of the universe, and organized the material into a cohesive Masters of the Universe Timeline. In this post I’m going to be covering Mattel’s He-Man-related copyrights, sourced from the US Copyright Office, for 1981. Eventually I’ll fold these dates into the MOTU Timeline article as well.

Some of the copyright entries have some interesting details and comments, so I’ll include most of the original text (errors and all), eliminating some redundancies and the registration numbers.  Each entry has multiple dates, but I’ll sort according to “Date of Publication”. I’ll do a separate post for each publication year.

Sometimes, however, date of publication actually refers to a piece of material that a new claim was based on. So a new set of stickers could be made in 1984, but based on material published in 1982. Typically you’ll see that where the registration date is much later than the publication date. Some discernment is needed to interpret this information.

Please note that I have not been able to locate images for all the materials described, and some of the images I have located could be misplaced. Any assistance from perceptive readers is always appreciated.

February

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-04-04
Title: Attak trak [sic] battle machine : [no.] 82-5470.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1982

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-06-21
Title: Evil-Lyn : [no.] 81-4712.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1981
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1981, 1982
Previous Registration:
Body & limbs prev. reg. as Teela, 26Oct82, VA 111-540.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: new head sculpted.
Copyright Note: C.O. correspondence.
Other Title: Teela

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-04-04
Title: Faker figure toy : [no.] 81-4482.
Description: Figurine.
Date of Creation: 1981
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1981
Previous Registration: He-Man prev. reg. 1982, VA 111-545.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: additions & changes.
Other Title: He-Man

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-02-25
Title: Man-E-Faces.
Description: Sculpture.
Series: Master of the Universe ; 82-5879
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1982
Other Title: Master of the Universe ; 82-5879

Type of Work: Kit
Registration Date: 1983-04-21
Title: Masters of the universe.
Imprint: Hawthorne, CA. : Mattel, c1983.
Description: 1 booklet, 1 sound disc.
Notes: Disc in back cover pocket.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Authorship on Application: text, artwork, record: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-04-01
Title: Masters of the Universe : extra thick Frame-Tray puzzle : [no.] 4558A.
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-14
Date in Notice: notice: 1982

Type of Work: Serial
Title: Mattel toys . : [catalog].
Serial Publication Year: 1983
Imprint: Hawthorne, CA : Mattel Toys.
Description: print material.
Frequency: Annually.
Description based on: 1982 issue.
Authorship on Application:
Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Issues Registered: 1983. Issue title: Mattel delivers. Created 1983; Pub.
1983-02-03; Reg. 1983-02-25;
Other Title: Mattel delivers

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-04-20
Title: Point Dread & Talon Fighter 82-4306.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1982

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-02-25
Title: Ram-Man.
Description: Sculpture.
Series: Masters of the Universe ; 82-5896
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1982
Other Title: Masters of the Universe ; 82-5896
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-12-28
Title: Trap Jaw : [no. 81-4302]
Description: Sculpture.
Date of Creation: 1981
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1981
Previous Registration: Torso of He-Man prev. reg., VA 111-545; legs of Man-E-Faces
prev. reg., VA 120-881.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: “head and arms.”
Other Title: He-Man Man-E-Faces

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-01-13
Title: Tri-Klops : [no.] 82-4301.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only. Based on He-Man product.
Date of Creation: 1982
Date of Publication: 1983-02-03
Date in Notice: notice: 1982
Previous Registration: Prev. reg. 1982, VA 111-545.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: “new head added, also removable torso
decorations.”
Other Title: He-Man

March

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-12-11
Application Title: He-Man heat design 83; Heat design number 3354.
Title: He-Man.
Description: Iron-on transfer.
Series: Masters of the Universe ; 3354
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-03-25
Authorship on Application: artwork on heat transfer material: Factors Et Cetera, Inc.,
employer for hire.
Previous Registration: Prev. reg. as figure toy 1982, VA 111-545.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: “new version in two dimensional form.”
Other Title: Masters of the Universe ; 3354
He-Man heat design 83
Heat design number 3354.
Names: Mattel, Inc.
Factors Et Cetera, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-12-11
Application Title: He-Man heat design 83; Heat design number 3353.
Title: He-Man.
Description: Iron-on transfer.
Series: Masters of the Universe ; 3353
Copyright Claimant:
Mattel, Inc.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-03-10
Authorship on Application: artwork on heat transfer material: Factors Et Cetera, Inc., employer for hire.
Previous Registration:
Prev. reg. as figure toy 1982, VA 111-545.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: “new version in two dimensional form.”
Other Title: Masters of the Universe ; 3353
He-Man heat design 83
Heat design number 3353.
Names: Mattel, Inc.
Factors Et Cetera, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-12-11
Application Title: Skeletor heat design 83; Heat design number 3355.
Title: Skeletor.
Description: Iron-on transfer.
Series: Masters of the Universe ; 3355
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-03-25
Authorship on Application: artwork on heat transfer material: Factors Et Cetera, Inc.,
employer for hire.
Previous Registration: Prev. reg. as figure toy 14Nov82, VA 111-542.
Basis of Claim: New Matter: “new version in two dimensional form.”
Other Title: Masters of the Universe ; 3355
Skeletor heat design 83
Heat design number 3355.
Names: Mattel, Inc.
Factors Et Cetera, Inc.

April

Type of Work: Text
Registration Date: 1983-10-14
Title: Masters of the Universe : an activity book : [no.] 1150-21.
Imprint: Racine, Wis. : Western Pub. Co., c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-04-20
Authorship on Application: ill. & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.

May

Type of Work: Kit
Registration Date: 1983-09-06
Title: Masters of the Universe fine tip marker color by number: ages 6-12 : [no.] 7209C.
Description: Kit.
Notes: Includes col. prints, markers & color guide.
Copyright Claimant:
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-05-18
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-08-15
Title: Masters of the Universe Paint with Water : [no.] 1765.
Description: Col. prints ; 1 v.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-05-18
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: War and Conquer : two games in one.
Description: 40 cards in box.
Series: Masters of the Universe giant card games ; 4930
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-05-31
Variant title: War
Other Title: Conquer; Masters of the Universe giant card games ; 4930

June

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-09-06
Title: Eternian battlefield : ages 5 to 10.
Description: Col. print ; puzzle in box.
Series: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle ; 4647D
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-06-01
Other Title: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle ; 4647D

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-09-06
Title: Masters of the Universe : jigsaw puzzle (mark of the sword): no. 4647A.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-06-01
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-09-06
Title: Surprise attack : over 100 fully interlocking pieces : ages 5 to 10.
Description: Col. print ; jigsaw puzzle in box.
Series: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle ; 4647B
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-06-01
Other Title: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle ; 4647B

July

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-10-14
Title: Masters of the Universe crayons : [no.] 4203.
Description: On folding carton.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-07-29

August

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: Masters of the Universe paint book : [no.] 1618-1.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-08-24
Names: Mattel, Inc.

September

Type of Work: Text
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: Caverns of fear / by Mary Carey ; illustrated by Al McWilliams.
Imprint: New York : Golden Press, c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Series: Masters of the Universe
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-15
Authorship on Application: art & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Names: Carey, Mary; McWilliams, Al; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1985-03-27
Title: Masters of the Universe.
Description: Card.
Series: Magic Slate paper saver ; 4484B
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-22
Other Title: Magic Slate paper saver ; 4484B
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1985-03-27
Title: Masters of the Universe.
Description: Card.
Series: Magic Slate paper saver ; 4484A
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-22
Other Title: Magic Slate paper saver ; 4484A
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: Masters of the universe : a color and activity book : no. 2806.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-16
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: Masters of the universe : a color and activity book : no. 2807.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-16
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-01-18
Title: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle : no. 4789.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-19

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-01-18
Title: Masters of the Universe jigsaw puzzle : no. 4789.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-19

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: Masters of the Universe, Paint with Water : [no.] 1767.
Description: Col. prints ; 1 v.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-13

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: Masters of the Universe sticker fun : no. 2190-47.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-21

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-16
Title: Road Ripper : [no.] 83-4903.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-21
Names: Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Text
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: The Sword of Skeletor / by Roger McKenzie ; illustrated by Fred Carrillo.
Imprint: New York : Golden Press, c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Series: Masters of the Universe
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-15
Authorship on Application: art & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Names: McKenzie, Roger; Carrillo, Fred; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Text
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: The Thief of Castle Grayskull / by Roger McKenzie ; illustrated by Fred Carrillo.
Imprint: New York : Golden Press, c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Series: Masters of the Universe
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-15
Authorship on Application: art & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Names: McKenzie, Roger; Carrillo, Fred; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Text
Registration Date: 1983-12-20
Title: The Trap / by W. B. DuBay ; illustrated by Dan Spiegle.
Imprint: New York: Golden Press, c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Series: Masters of the Universe
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-09-15
Authorship on Application: art & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Names: DuBay, W. B.; Spiegle, Dan; Mattel, Inc.

October

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-01-18
Title: The Sunbird legacy / written by Roger McKenzie ; illustrated by Adrian Gonzales and Fred Carrillo ; cover by Earl Norem.
Imprint: Racine, Wis. : Western Pub. Co., c1983.
Description: 1 v.
Series: Masters of the Universe
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-10-03
Authorship on Application: pictorial ill. & text: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Names: McKenzie, Roger; Gonzales, Adrian; Carrillo, Fred; Norem, Earl; Mattel, Inc.

November

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: Masters of the Universe sticker-stamp book : [no.] 2140.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-11-23

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1984-02-07
Title: Masters of the Universe sticker fun : no. 2190-42.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-11-16

December

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1985-02-19
Title: [He-Man]
Description: Ornament + card.
Series: Masters of the Universe collectible button ons
Notes: Title from appl.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-12-19
Authorship on Application: pictorial & text: Playskool, Inc.
Names: Mattel, Inc.; Playskool, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1985-02-19
Title: [Skeletor]
Description: Ornament + card.
Series: Masters of the Universe collectible button ons
Notes: Title from appl.
Date of Creation: 1983
Date of Publication: 1983-12-19
Authorship on Application: pictorial & text: Playskool, Inc.
Names: Mattel, Inc.; Playskool, Inc.

No Specific Month of Publication

Type of Work: Music
Registration Date: 1983-07-05
Title: Mattel He-man–“1983 line” : 30 sec. TV / by Mattel, Inc.
Description: 1 p.
Copyright Claimant: Ogilvy & Mather & Mattel, Inc.
Date of Creation: 1983
Authorship on Application: music: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Copyright Note: C.O. correspondence.
Other Title: 1983 line
Names: Ogilvy & Mather; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Music
Registration Date: 1983-08-05
Title: Mattel he-man : Man-e-faces : [no.] 3F2007 / by Mattel, Inc.
Description: 1 p.
Notes: Music.
Copyright Claimant: Ogilvy & Mather & Mattel, Inc.
Date of Creation: 1983
Authorship on Application: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Other Title: Man-e-faces
Names: Ogilvy & Mather; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Music
Registration Date: 1983-08-05
Title: Mattel he-man : Masters.
Description: 1 p.
Notes: Music.
No. 3F2023.
Copyright Claimant: Ogilvy & Mather & Mattel, Inc.
Date of Creation: 1983
Authorship on Application: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Other Title: Masters
Names: Ogilvy & Mather; Mattel, Inc.

Type of Work: Visual Material
Registration Date: 1983-08-05
Title: Mattel, “Masters of universe” : [no.] 3F2132.
Notes: Cataloged from appl. only.
Copyright Claimant: Ogilvy & Mather and Mattel, Inc.
Date of Creation: 1983
Authorship on Application: Mattel, Inc., employer for hire.
Other Title: Masters of universe
Names: Ogilvy & Mather; Mattel, Inc.

One thought on “Copyrights in MOTU (Part Three: 1983)

  1. We would, in later years, see that Mattel slowly hires on legal counsel that strangely decided to file wrong names, not renew proper filings, and in general make decisions that left people scratching their collective heads! 😛

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