A Louisiana-based film production company, Stellarblade, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, the creators of the PS5 game Stellar Blade.
Stellar Blade Faces Trademark Infringement Lawsuit from "Stellarblade"
Registered Trademarks at the Heart of the Dispute
The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that Sony and Shift Up’s use of the name "Stellar Blade" for their action-adventure game infringes on Stellarblade's existing trademark. Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, owner of the film production company specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, claims the game's name has harmed his business. He argues that the game's online presence overshadows his company, making it difficult for potential clients to find him through online searches for "Stellarblade."
Mehaffey seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction to prevent further use of "Stellar Blade" (or similar variations) by Sony and Shift Up. He also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade materials in their possession.
Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease-and-desist letter sent to Shift Up the previous month. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006, operating his film production company under that name since 2011. Conversely, Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, months before Mehaffey's registration. Stellar Blade was initially announced as "Project Eve" in 2019, with the name change occurring in 2022.
In a statement to IGN, Mehaffey's lawyer argued that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of Mehaffey's established rights before adopting a nearly identical mark. The lawyer emphasized Mehaffey's long-standing use of the name and domain, stating that the game's superior online presence has pushed Mehaffey's business into "digital obscurity." The lawsuit also points to similarities between the logos and the stylized 'S' in both names as further evidence of infringement. It's important to note that trademark rights can often have retroactive application, extending beyond the official registration date. The lawyer concluded by stating their belief in fair competition but emphasized the need to protect smaller businesses from the actions of larger companies.
