Sony sued over Buzz! trademark
"Copycat" accusations from US company.
Sony is facing a legal headache over its Buzz! series of quiz games.
US company Buzztime Entertainment believes the platform holder has confused consumers into thinking that Buzz! is a part of its electronic trivia games catalogue which appears in restaurants and bars.
The suit claims Sony is guilty of "malicious, fraudulent, knowing, wilful, and deliberate" violation of trademarks, according to GameSpot, and seeks the recall and destruction of all infringing products. Gulp.
Buzztime also wants the US Patent and Trademark Office to refuse registration for the still-pending trademarks for Buzz!, and to reimburse legal fees and maybe buy it a boat or something.
Sony Europe has remained cagey over the issue, telling GamesIndustry.biz, "We are aware that a complaint has been made against Buzz in the United States, but as is our normal procedure in matters like these we will not be making any public statement."
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Comments (29) Latest comment 4 years ago
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Besides, if I've read this correctly surely this would only encourange more people into their stores, albeit in error...?!
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XD like that's going to happen. Sounds like a 419 chancer.
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No one will think of their Buzztime game when someone talks about Sony's Buzz! games.
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LOL
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Not always, there was a company called lik-sang...
http://www.lik-san g.com/index.html
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As for Sony not making a statement, nice to see them investing in duct-tape to stick around the mouths of their Execs.
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Sony sues Apex for DVD patent infringement
http://ww w.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Pri...
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Still, this sort of thing happens all the time, or rather it's avoided by changing the name of your title to something like 'Lylat Wars'.
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Maybe I should have gone into litigation law. Win or loose you still get paid.
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"Buzztime Entertainment filed suit against Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in the Southern District of California last week, alleging that the Buzz! line of games and the "It's time to get buzzing" tagline violate several of its own trademarks."
with a wee bit more info from later on...
"Buzztime does not have a trademark on the word "buzz" for use in games, but it does have a variety of similar trademarks registered as far back as 2001, including "Buzztime," "Buzzhead," "Share the Buzz," and "Buzzkids." SCEE has filed for a trio of trademarks for "Buzz!" (one with the exclamation point, two without)."
This part is also quite pertinent, particularly the last part (which I have thoughtfully emboldened):
"The company [Buzztime] also runs quiz services over mobile phones, digital cable and satellite systems, and even offers home versions...that hook up to a TV and include differently colored wireless controllers."
Not, repeat NOT saying the case has merit. Just pointing out that any 'huh-huh - these company am stoopid' comments are a little off-base.
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And Virgin's lawyers went after a tradesman (plumber I think) for calling himself "Virgin and Sons" or somesuch. The fact that it was a) his own surname and b) the third or fourth time he had received 'cease and desist' notices from them prompted Branson to make a proper apology.
Apparently, it was that every time a new lawyer got taken on, he'd spot the name and get a tad over-eager...