Trademarks
Ongoing coverage on Trademarks.
Latest coverage
Lies of P Sequel Name Potentially Leaked in New Filing
A trademark filing for 'Wonders of O' by Neowiz in the European Union suggests a potential name for the sequel to Lies of P. The filing, covering video game-related services, aligns with clues from the first game's ending that hinted at a 'Wizard of Oz' theme. While Neowiz has confirmed a sequel is in full production, the name and other details remain unconfirmed.
Lies of P Trademark Appears to Spell Out Sequel's Name
A new trademark listing suggests that the game Lies of P may be followed by a sequel tentatively named Wonders of O. This indicates potential future development for the franchise.
There's a new Twitter in town, even though a judge has yet to rule on a trademark injunction
A new social media platform has launched, emphasizing its independence from X. This comes as a judge has yet to rule on a potential trademark injunction concerning the platform's name.
Nintendo applies for new trademark for Dr. Mario World
Nintendo has filed a new trademark for Dr. Mario World, a mobile game that was terminated in October 2021 due to low user activity. This has sparked speculation online that the game might be ported to the Nintendo Switch.
Comings and Goings
Take-Two Interactive has trademarked a new studio name, 'Small Axe Studios'. The purpose and details surrounding this new entity have not yet been revealed.
33 years later, the 3DO could make an unexpected comeback, but the '90s console revival is already being branded as…
Empire Interactive has announced its acquisition of the 3DO trademark and selected intellectual property rights, sparking a potential revival of the 1990s console. However, the legitimacy of this claim is being contested by Throwback Entertainment, which asserts ownership of the assets, and former Limited Run Games CEO Josh Fairhurst has expressed skepticism about the revival's validity due to the complex web of rights and trademarks involved.
As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game's copyright next year
Electronic Arts has renewed trademarks for the Ultima series, prompting discussions about its future. Series creator Richard Garriott revealed he has been attempting to work with EA on an Ultima revival for years and plans to reclaim the copyright in 2027, when the 35-year term expires. While EA would retain the trademark, Garriott aims to regain copyright for his original work under a new title like 'Lord British's Ultima'.
New Ultima trademarks filed by EA, but don't get too excited
Electronic Arts has filed new trademarks for the Ultima series, covering downloadable PC games and online experiences. While this suggests potential activity, it may also be routine intellectual property protection, as there have been no new single-player installments since 1999. Creator Richard Garriott has expressed interest in a revival, and Larian Studios has been mentioned as a potential developer.
Frontier is making a Planet game that isn't about zoos or rollercoasters, and has just filed trademarks for Planet…
Frontier Developments has announced a new management simulation game in its 'Planet' franchise, which will feature a completely new setting distinct from Planet Zoo and Planet Coaster. The company has also filed several new trademarks, including Planet Resort, Planet Festival, and Planet Farm, fueling speculation about the new game's theme. While a release date is not specified, it is not expected before 2028.
Sony’s new trademark gives clues about upcoming game ahead of next State of Play
Sony has filed a new trademark, suggesting an upcoming game announcement is imminent. While details about the game remain unknown, the filing comes ahead of Sony's next State of Play presentation.
Sony Interactive Entertainment trademarks Break In
Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a trademark for the name "Break In" in the United States. The filing was made on May 20, though further details about the potential game or project associated with the trademark have not been revealed.
Pocketpair Games has registered trademarks for something called Palworld Online
Pocketpair Games has filed trademarks for 'Palworld Online' in the United States and South Korea. This has led to speculation about a potential rebrand for the post-early access version of Palworld or a new MMORPG, distinct from the upcoming Palworld Mobile developed by Krafton.
'Palworld Online' has been trademarked, but there's hints of potential AI use
Pocketpair has trademarked 'Palworld Online' in the US and South Korea, with filings indicating potential uses beyond just game software, including toy design and computer game cartridges. The trademark also lists services related to artificial intelligence for game development, hinting at possible AI integration in future projects or the game's 1.0 release.
Pocketpair Continues To Defy Nintendo With New Palworld Trademark
Pocketpair has filed new trademarks for 'Palworld Online' in South Korea and the US, likely for the game's upcoming 1.0 update. Meanwhile, Nintendo's attempts to patent game mechanics that could undermine Palworld have faced rejection from the US Patent Office.
Palworld Online Trademark Filed in US and South Korea May Be Related to Palworld’s 1.0 Release
Pocketpair has filed trademarks for "Palworld Online" in the United States and South Korea, potentially indicating an upcoming announcement related to the game's 1.0 release or its multiplayer features. Palworld is currently available in early access on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with a PlayStation 5 version also confirmed.
Evening Legal Briefs
Pop star Taylor Swift is seeking to trademark her likeness, a move highlighted by the emergence of TikTok advertisements using deepfake technology. This situation raises questions about intellectual property protection in the digital age and the potential misuse of celebrity images.
Obsidian caused some trouble by using the Rorschach Test in Fallout: New Vegas: 'Those folks came to Bethesda and said we're gonna have a fun lawsuit on our hands, so pony up!'
Former Obsidian creative director Chris Avellone revealed that Fallout: New Vegas faced legal trouble over its use of the Rorschach Test without proper trademark clearance. Representatives for the Rorschach Test approached Bethesda, leading to a settlement. This incident highlighted the complexities of intellectual property and trademarks in game development.
"Those folks came to Bethesda and said, 'We're gonna have a fun lawsuit'": Fallout New Vegas devs "got in trouble" after forgetting about trademarks for some material, says Obsidian veteran
Obsidian Entertainment veteran Chris Avellone revealed that the development of Fallout: New Vegas encountered legal issues with Bethesda due to the inclusion of trademarked material, particularly within the Wild West trait. These issues arose from the team not fully accounting for existing trademarks when incorporating references to other media into the game.
Bored Ape NFT Lawsuit Settles, Affects Crypto Community
Yuga Labs has settled its copyright lawsuit against artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen concerning the RR/BAYC NFT collection. The dispute centered on whether the collection constituted parody or infringed upon Yuga Labs' trademarks. The settlement prohibits Ripps and Cahen from using Yuga Labs' trademarks and imagery, setting a precedent for intellectual property rights in the NFT sector.
The James Bond rights owners have opposed an application for a James Pond trademark
Danjaq LLC, the owner of the James Bond trademark, has opposed a UK trademark application for the "James Pond" video game series. The opposition follows a similar rejection of a European trademark application in 2012. The James Pond games were a series of platformer parodies from the 1990s, with rights currently co-owned by Gameware and System 3.
