Lawsuit over "Stellarblade" Rights Raises Confusion

A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, alleging trademark infringement over the PS5 game, Stellar Blade. This legal battle highlights a clash of registered trademarks.

Stellarblade's Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Stellar Blade

Competing Registered Trademarks

The core of the dispute centers on the remarkably similar names. Stellarblade, a US-based company specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, claims Sony and Shift Up's use of "Stellar Blade" for their game has harmed their business. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that the game's name diminishes Stellarblade's online visibility, making it difficult for potential clients to find their services through online searches.

Stellarblade's legal action seeks monetary compensation, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of "Stellar Blade" (or similar variations). The company also demands the destruction of all existing "Stellar Blade" marketing materials.

The lawsuit reveals that Stellarblade registered its trademark in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter sent to Shift Up the previous month. The company asserts ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006, actively using the name in business operations since 2011.

Stellarblade's legal counsel argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of Stellarblade's pre-existing rights before adopting the nearly identical name for their game. "Stellar Blade," initially known as "Project Eve," was renamed in 2022 and trademarked by Shift Up in January 2023 – months before Stellarblade's registration.

In a statement to IGN, Stellarblade's lawyer emphasized the company's long-standing use of the name and its concern over the impact of the game's popularity on their online presence. The lawyer highlights the "confusingly similar" logos and stylized "S," further supporting their claim of trademark infringement. The argument also touches upon the retroactive nature of trademark rights, potentially extending protection beyond the official registration date. The legal team asserts that the defendants' superior resources have created a search engine monopoly, pushing Stellarblade into relative obscurity.

The outcome of this case will be closely watched, particularly regarding the implications for trademark protection and the potential impact on smaller businesses facing competition from larger entities.