Stellar Blade Clash: Film Studio Takes on Sony Over Game Name

In a surprising turn of events, the gaming industry is embroiled in a legal battle over naming rights. A small Louisiana-based film company, Stellarblade LLC, has launched a lawsuit against tech giant Sony and Korean game studio ShiftUp. The bone of contention? The popular action-adventure game “Stellar Blade.”

David vs. Goliath

Stellarblade LLC, founded by filmmaker Mehaffey, claims the game’s success has overshadowed its business. The company alleges trademark infringement, stating that ShiftUp’s use of the name has caused significant harm to its operations.

Interestingly, “Stellar Blade” wasn’t always the game’s moniker. Initially dubbed “Project Eve” in 2019, ShiftUp rebranded it in 2022. This name change forms a crucial part of Mehaffey’s argument.

Timeline of Events

• 2006: Mehaffey registers stellarblade.com
• 2019: ShiftUp announces “Project Eve”
• 2022: Game renamed to “Stellar Blade”
• January 2023: ShiftUp registers “Stellar Blade” trademark
• June 2023: Mehaffey registers “Stellarblade” trademark
• July 2023: Cease and desist letter sent to ShiftUp

The Impact

Mehaffey’s primary grievance lies in the digital domain. He claims that internet searches for his film company now yield results dominated by the video game, effectively pushing his business into “digital obscurity.”

The lawsuit seeks drastic measures, including a ban on using “Stellar Blade” and destroying all related materials.

Looking Ahead

As the gaming industry continues to grow, conflicts between different media sectors may become more common. This case could set an important precedent for future trademark disputes.

While “Stellar Blade” has received critical acclaim (our editors gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars), its future now hangs in the balance of this legal showdown.

As this story develops, it serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between intellectual property rights and the ever-expanding digital scene.

Source: ign