A federal jury ruled today that Salt Lake Comic Con infringed on a trademark held by San Diego Comic-Con by using the words “comic con” in their name without permission. However, the jury did not award the $12 million in damages sought by San Diego Comic-Con, only $20,000, finding no willful infringement of the copyright by SLCC.

The case was tried in San Diego. Defendants Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg have said that if the verdict went against them, Salt Lake Comic Con would appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. They have previously told the media the court battle will not affect their ability to put on the next convention, which draws more than 100,000 people to the Salt Palace.

Deseret News reporter McKenzie Romero tweeted some specifics about the jury’s determinations:

First, judge says jurors find @comic_con's trademark is VALID

— McKenzie Romero (@McKenzieRomero) December 8, 2017

Jurors rule @comic_con owns the mark, and that the defendants, @slcomiccon used it without permission

— McKenzie Romero (@McKenzieRomero) December 8, 2017

Jury makes the same finding for @comic_con's trademark on "Comic Con International." The mark is valid, and @slcomiccon used it without permission

— McKenzie Romero (@McKenzieRomero) December 8, 2017

Same findings for @comic_con's "eye logo." The jury has found that @danbfarr and Bryan Brandenburg, as individuals, and their company, Dan Farr Productions, used the trademarks without permission

— McKenzie Romero (@McKenzieRomero) December 8, 2017

Jurors also find that @comic_con is entitled to $20,000 damages to pay for "corrective advertising." @Comic_Con had asked for $12 million.

— McKenzie Romero (@McKenzieRomero) December 8, 2017

[Thanks to Dave Doering for the story.]