A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade, for alleged trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month, claims that Stellarblade's business, specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, has been harmed by the game's use of the similar name.
The plaintiff, Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, argues that the game's name negatively impacts their online visibility, making it harder for potential clients to find their company online. He seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of the "Stellar Blade" trademark. He also requests the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.
Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, after sending a cease-and-desist letter to Shift Up. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and has operated his film company under that name since 2011. Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, months before Mehaffey's registration, but the game was initially announced as "Project Eve" in 2019.
Mehaffey's lawyer contends that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of Mehaffey's established rights. They argue that the similarity of the names and logos, particularly the stylized 'S', is a key point of contention. They also highlight that trademark rights can often be applied retroactively.
The lawsuit highlights the complexities of trademark law and the potential challenges faced by smaller businesses when competing with larger corporations. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the gaming and film industries alike.
