A Louisiana-based film production company, "Stellarblade," has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade. The suit alleges that the game's title infringes upon Stellarblade's existing trademark.
The plaintiff, Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, claims his company, specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, has suffered damage due to the game's use of the similar name. He argues that the game's online presence overshadows his company's, making it difficult for potential clients to find him.
Mehaffey seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of the "Stellar Blade" trademark. He also demands the destruction of all game-related materials bearing the name. He registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease-and-desist letter sent to Shift Up the previous month. He notes that he's owned the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and operated his business under that name since 2011.
The defense contends that Stellar Blade, initially known as "Project Eve," was announced in 2019 and rebranded in 2022, with the trademark registered in January 2023—months before Mehaffey's registration. However, Mehaffey's lawyer argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of his pre-existing rights. The lawyer emphasizes the long-standing use of the name and domain, stating that the game's prominence has pushed Mehaffey's business into "digital obscurity." Similarities between the logos and stylized "S" are also cited as grounds for the lawsuit.
It's important to note that trademark rights can have retroactive application, extending beyond the official registration date. The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen.
