"Candy Crush" makers trademark the word "candy", want the word "saga."

[TheDreamMaster]

http://kotaku.com/candy-crush-thinks-it-owns-the-word-candy-1505420069

The people who made Candy Crush think they now own the word Candy, at least when it comes to games and a bunch of merchandise. How adorable.P
Seems that in February 2013, the game's makers - King.com - submitted a trademark application for the word. One that on January 15 2014 was approved for publication in the United States, meaning it's only a few weeks away from becoming official.P
This gives King a claim on the word "Candy" in relation to all kinds of applications, from games to sunglasses to headphones to...spectacle frames, though other parties can dispute the filing
According to a report on Gamezebo, letters are already being sent to developers on Apple's App Store whose game has the word "Candy" in its name. Even if that word is literally the only thing it has in common with King's money-making juggernaut.
A quick search in the App Store for games with "Candy" in the title gives hundreds of results. King's lawyers did the math.





While it's a clearly farcical state of affairs, there's a bright spot: while King.com's lawyers can send as many letters as they like, IP lawyer Martin Schwimmer tells Gamezebo that the fact "candy" is such a ubiquitous term will make it hard for much to legally stick.P
"Someone can't plausibly claim that they came up with the term TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES on their own", he says. "An incredibly unique trademark like that is somewhat easy to protect."P
"Suggestive marks are protectable, but the problem is that third parties can claim that they thought up their mark on their own." .

http://kotaku.com/candy-crush-saga-makers-go-after-the-banner-saga-for-1506188958

Not content with trying to own the word "Candy", King.com, the makers of Candy Crush Saga, also want to own the word "Saga". So they've have taken legal action against strategy game The Banner Saga.
On December 27, 2013, King.com filed a "Notice of Opposition" with the US Patent and Trademark Office. It says that because King has 13 trademarks with the word "saga" in them, Stoic's colourful strategy game isn't allowed to use the word.
As part of the filing, King allege the following. And I promise you, this is a real document, not a joke. P
The "Applicant" is Stoic, who were applying for a trademark on The Banner Saga. A turn-based strategy game with a rich RPG element and nordic inspiration. The "Opposer" is King.com. Who make some puzzle games with candy in them. (more in the link)

 

[KevanG]

I hope that they get kicked out of court because that's total BS.

 

[NickNitro]

I want to trademark the word Nick

 

[Teelie]

It's still got a challenge period to make it through and you can bet it's going to get challeneged.

 

[terry78]

And Roxio wants the rights to the word Birds.

 

[Teelie]

I think I can manage to give them a few birds.

 

[Schlosser85]

This reminds me of Spike Lee trying to sue Spike TV for using "his" name without permission.

 

[NickNitro]

I should sue Nickelodeon

 

[Schlosser85]

I need to find someone younger than me with my name and sue them for copyright infringement.

 

[NickNitro]

Just walk the halls of a hospital. When you hear a family naming their newborn your name bust into the room with a suitcase and tie, and respectfully ask them to see you in court.

 

[KevanG]

Didn't Paris Hilton try to do something like that and she was laughed out of court?

 

[Superwoman Prime]

*owns all of prime time television*

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Didn't Paris Hilton try to do something like that and she was laughed out of court?

Even if "candy" somehow became their trademark, they'd need to work around the clock to defend it. To the detriment of their business.

The court will laugh them out, though.

 

[Teelie]

If this somehow passes muster and becomes a trademark I am going to find the most common word used and figure out how to ******** my way into owning the use of it.

 

[KevanG]

How about sweet? Then make a game and trademark it with sweet something then do it for legitimacy.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

You can easily trademark a phrase or misspelled word. If you have money.

Like "Ckandee". Or "Candy Sooo Sweet".

 

[Figs]

Just walk the halls of a hospital. When you hear a family naming their newborn your name bust into the room with a suitcase and tie, and respectfully ask them to see you in court.

 

[Sawyer]

Oh Lorde...

 

[Teelie]

You can easily trademark a phrase or misspelled word. If you have money.

Like "Ckandee". Or "Candy Sooo Sweet".

That is how we have Blu-Ray instead of Blue-Ray.

 

[Victarion]

I can coerce the fat man into writing faster. Otherwise I'll go to court over ownership of my username.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

That is how we have Blu-Ray instead of Blue-Ray.

Yep.

 

[Steyin]