Theme park patent and trademark filing round-up

December 30, 2013, 11:33 AM · Here are a couple notes for you to pass the time today, especially if you're stuck in long lines waiting to get into Universal Orlando:

Parkscope found an interesting patent application from Universal, detailing what sounds a lot like a MyMagic+/MagicBand-style reservation system. Universal's application describes a system where visitors can make reservations for themselves or for a group when they buy their theme park tickets, then use their cell phones or other devices (yes, including wristbands!) to access those attractions. Universal's system also would enable reserving rides on a specific date without specifying a particular time, and to allow the park or guests to reschedule missed reservation times. You can see the entire application on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's website.

Making a quick search on the trademark side of that website revealed a few other theme park-related applications. Universal on Dec. 12 filed a trademark application for "Aqua Drag Racer," detailed as for "Amusement park and water park rides; entertainment in the nature of a water park ride." Daniel Koch (formerly of Holiday World) filed for "Splashin' Sam" on Dec. 23, described simply as for "Amusement park and theme park services." And SeaWorld filed for "Pantopia," the new name for the former Timbuktu area at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Replies (2)

December 30, 2013 at 1:29 PM · What, no comments yet?? OK, I'll lob the first grenade - wonder if Comcast is willing to spend $1B to get it to work correctly, or will they study WDW's mistakes, and save a bundle....
December 30, 2013 at 2:17 PM · These things read like so much word salad. If you're trying to patent an IT system, you ought to have to submit the code. No more patenting vaporware. (Of course, I'm not a fan of software patents in general... so, yeah.)

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