The word ‘kryptonite’ is no longer copyright.
The word was, of course, invented by the comic book ‘Superman’—the Oxford tells me it first appeared in 1943.
As you will recall (from your childhood comic book reading) Superman came from the planet Kryton—and when that home planet exploded fragments of it that reached Earth were disastrous for him.
As the Oxford notes: ‘Kryptonite is most commonly depicted as a green mineral that came to earth from Krypton… Other types have appeared in various comic books, films, etc., each having different properties.’
As for the word itself, the definition the Oxford offers is this—kryptonite is ‘a substance that renders Superman weak and powerless. Hence in figurative or allusive use: something that can weaken or damage a particular person or thing; an Achilles heel.’
Hence the use of ‘kryptonite’ in the wider language.
This makes it possible to say, ‘death taxes in Jim Chalmers’ budget is kryptonite to the Albanese government.’
And that takes it out of the realm of copyright owned by DC comics.
This was tested recently when a Sydney nutrition entrepreneur, Paul Collins, registered the trademark ‘Kryptonite Diet’ (presumably some that destroys your fat).
He was immediately sued by DC Comics for breach of their (so-called) copyright in the word.
They lost.
The Trade Mark Office ruled that ‘kryptonite’ has become a widely used term that has been accepted into the general lexicon of the English language.
Well, it is certainly included in most of the world’s major dictionaries (including the biggest of them all, the Oxford English Dictionary).
So, another win for common sense.
(And you should feel free to use the word ‘kryptonite’ any time you wish!)
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