Candy Crush Saga makers want to trademark the word candy

[xdivision_whitey]

King, the company behind the mobile smash Candy Crush Saga, isn't content with owning your free time. Now it wants a part of your everyday vocabulary, too.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved the company's application to trademark the word "candy" across a variety of platforms, ranging from computer games to cassette tapes to shower caps.

Technically called an ‘approval for publication’ at this point, the decision is hardly the final step in the process, but it's further than many thought the company would get when it issued the application last February. Companies opposing the trademark application now have 30 days to file a complaint and oppose the trademark or request an extension of the window for opposition.

King has already obtained a final approved trademark in Europe for the word.

Trying to trademark a word that's a common part of the language has, not surprisingly, landed King in the center of a ring of controversy. The company, speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, tried to calm fears, saying it has shown through the European trademark that it doesn't enforce it against all uses of the word. Instead, it made this decision after seeing so many imitators pop into the App Store after Candy Crush Saga became a hit.

"We have trademarked the word 'CANDY' in the EU, as our IP is constantly being infringed and we have to enforce our rights and to protect our players from confusion," said an unidentified company spokesperson. "We don't enforce against all uses of CANDY - some are legitimate and of course, we would not ask App developers who use the term legitimately to stop doing so."

There are some reports that Apple has already begun sending letters to some app makers on behalf of King, demanding that they change the name of their apps. King said the takedown app was aimed specifically at a developer who it believed used King's IP to help boost its popularity. And to be fair, the game in question has a pretty ridiculous name: All Candy Casino Slots - Jewels Craze Connect: Big Blast Mania Land. Whew.

There’s obviously a lot at stake here. Candy Crush Saga was the most downloaded free app last year and has been downloaded 500 million times since its launch. It's also a hit on Facebook. King has already begun expanding the brand into other areas outside of the app world, including t-shirts and stickers.

But trademarking “candy?” That’s just not very sweet, King.

WHAT?!

[Venombabe]

============
The art of being wise


heart It doesn't surprise me that they'd want to trademark a word considering today's market and how much Candy Crush is making just from the phone app heart


is the art of knowing what to overlook
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[Lupa Fangs]

As I unerstand it tradmarking only means that ... well hnnn it's hard to explain, but they are no exactly owning the word. Just claiming it so others can't use it for the same purpose. Like another app featuring colorful candy can't be called candy crush saga. Although I don't know why they would only do it to the word candy and not the whole phrase.

For example it's like pizza king trademarking the words pizza king. It doesn't mean that others can't use it for other purposes, but other pizza companies can't name their pizza stores pizza king. If there was a game or something else that wanted to be allowed pizza king the name would be up for grabs. It's like the store that rents out furniture called aarons. There can't be any other furniture renting company that calls itself aarons, but there is a autorepair shop that does.

[X_Torric_X]

Trademarking and owning the rights to a single word?
That's Donald Trump level of bullshit right there.

[Zered Heizien]

picture perfect example of how bullshit americas copyright and trademark system is.

dont forget theyre also trying to block Stoic Studios from trademarking its strategy RPG The Banner Saga because it uses the word "saga".

[Lupa Fangs]

I doubt half the people here know what trademarking means.

[Captain Dory]

It Avatar all over again...

[Hasuki Aatisuto]

Apparently King is at it again. Check this out.

Quote:

The Banner Saga’s 'SAGA' saga: Stoic Studio has responded to King’s statement

If you’ve been following King’s trademark sideshow this week (and we know you have), there have been two interesting developments in the last 24 hours that you already know about. Last night, word broke that King was trying to use its IP law muscle to prevent Stoic Studio from using the word SAGA in The Banner Saga. And then this morning, King issued a statement responding to these allegations.

This is where things get a little weird, because their response was basically “we’re not trying to stop them from using the name, we’ve just filed a formal opposition with the US Trademark Office that says otherwise.” More to the point, they said that if they don’t exercise their claim in every instance than the mark on words like SAGA will lose its potency, and they’ll have a hard time when it comes to fighting the real targets of their IP theft.

It’s an argument that’s in complete contradiction with a statement they released earlier in the day. “We don’t enforce against all uses… some are legitimate of course, we would not ask App developers who use the term legitimately to stop doing so.”

Methinks someone in King’s PR department has a really short memory.

As you’d probably expect, the folks at Stoic Studio were just as flabbergasted as we are. When we reached out for comment last night, they weren’t prepared to speak. After King’s statement today, though, they’re officially done holding their tongues.

“Two years ago, the three of us at Stoic set out to make an epic viking game: The Banner Saga. We did, and people loved it, so we're making another one. We won't make a viking saga without the word Saga, and we don't appreciate anyone telling us we can't. King.com claims they're not attempting to prevent us from using The Banner Saga, and yet their legal opposition to our trademark filing remains. We're humbled by the outpouring of support and honored to have others stand with us for the right to their own Saga. We just want to make great games.”

So there you have it. Shots fired. King, if you’re really not opposing their use of the name, withdraw your opposition. And readers, if you’re as sick of this trademark trolling, show Stoic your support and pick up the game. (if it helps, it’s really really good.)

Source

EDIT: The 's in the link is messing things up. It's on the front page of Gamezebo.com . The title is The Banner Saga’s 'SAGA' saga: Stoic Studio has responded to King’s statement.

EDIT 2: Here's the tinyurl version of it. Here.

They're trying to do the same thing with the word "Saga". What's next? "Crush"? Actually, don't answer that. I think that's their next goal, anyway.

[GunsmithKitten]

Rather surprised that Mars Inc. and Hershey Foods haven't shown this little junior tyrant what it's really like to try to screw over a multinational corporation like this.

Yea, you can push around your fellow video game chums, but I can't wait to see The King take on the flesh eating lawyers of companies with billions to burn. (5.6 in Hershey Foods, and over 30 billion in the case of Mars Inc.)

And SAGA?! Oh man, you want to bring down the wrath of Walt Disney too? Hope that little game app gives you enough lawyers to survive The Mouse...

[JamesWN]

GunsmithKitten

Rather surprised that Mars Inc. and Hershey Foods haven't shown this little junior tyrant what it's really like to try to screw over a multinational corporation like this.

Yea, you can push around your fellow video game chums, but I can't wait to see The King take on the flesh eating lawyers of companies with billions to burn. (5.6 in Hershey Foods, and over 30 billion in the case of Mars Inc.)

And SAGA?! Oh man, you want to bring down the wrath of Walt Disney too? Hope that little game app gives you enough lawyers to survive The Mouse...

Get Disney too pissed and they might call in their newest muscle to deal with it.

[X_Torric_X]

GunsmithKitten

Rather surprised that Mars Inc. and Hershey Foods haven't shown this little junior tyrant what it's really like to try to screw over a multinational corporation like this.

Yea, you can push around your fellow video game chums, but I can't wait to see The King take on the flesh eating lawyers of companies with billions to burn. (5.6 in Hershey Foods, and over 30 billion in the case of Mars Inc.)

And SAGA?! Oh man, you want to bring down the wrath of Walt Disney too? Hope that little game app gives you enough lawyers to survive The Mouse...

Wouldn't also depend on whether or not the Grandfather's Clause takes effect in this situation?

[Hitachin]

Captain Dory

It Avatar all over again...

James Cameron really fkd M Night and Nickelodeon over when he did that.

[David2074]

Hasuki Aatisuto

Apparently King is at it again. Check this out.

Quote:

The Banner Saga’s 'SAGA' saga: Stoic Studio has responded to King’s statement

If you’ve been following King’s trademark sideshow this week (and we know you have), there have been two interesting developments in the last 24 hours that you already know about. Last night, word broke that King was trying to use its IP law muscle to prevent Stoic Studio from using the word SAGA in The Banner Saga. And then this morning, King issued a statement responding to these allegations.

This is where things get a little weird, because their response was basically “we’re not trying to stop them from using the name, we’ve just filed a formal opposition with the US Trademark Office that says otherwise.” More to the point, they said that if they don’t exercise their claim in every instance than the mark on words like SAGA will lose its potency, and they’ll have a hard time when it comes to fighting the real targets of their IP theft.

It’s an argument that’s in complete contradiction with a statement they released earlier in the day. “We don’t enforce against all uses… some are legitimate of course, we would not ask App developers who use the term legitimately to stop doing so.”

Methinks someone in King’s PR department has a really short memory.

As you’d probably expect, the folks at Stoic Studio were just as flabbergasted as we are. When we reached out for comment last night, they weren’t prepared to speak. After King’s statement today, though, they’re officially done holding their tongues.

“Two years ago, the three of us at Stoic set out to make an epic viking game: The Banner Saga. We did, and people loved it, so we're making another one. We won't make a viking saga without the word Saga, and we don't appreciate anyone telling us we can't. King.com claims they're not attempting to prevent us from using The Banner Saga, and yet their legal opposition to our trademark filing remains. We're humbled by the outpouring of support and honored to have others stand with us for the right to their own Saga. We just want to make great games.”

So there you have it. Shots fired. King, if you’re really not opposing their use of the name, withdraw your opposition. And readers, if you’re as sick of this trademark trolling, show Stoic your support and pick up the game. (if it helps, it’s really really good.)

Source

EDIT: The 's in the link is messing things up. It's on the front page of Gamezebo.com . The title is The Banner Saga’s 'SAGA' saga: Stoic Studio has responded to King’s statement.

EDIT 2: Here's the tinyurl version of it. Here.

They're trying to do the same thing with the word "Saga". What's next? "Crush"? Actually, don't answer that. I think that's their next goal, anyway.

WTH EU?
Why not just tell them, "If you are worried about someone using similar words you should not have used common words to name your game".

And...Hypocrisy much?
CANDY CRUSH SAGA released by King April 12, 2012

Well, let's see...

Candy Land game - 1945
Crush soda - 1911
And Saga - tons of uses. Star Wars Saga
Saga video game series by Square Enix - 1989-2012

Many many other examples but the obvious point is King did not originate these words even in the context of games and such, let alone their common meaning uses.
IMO - SCREW THEM

[Malee]

The creators see the writing on the wall, they know eventually their game won't be as popular as it is now so might as well cash in while they can.

[lynx20]

GunsmithKitten

Rather surprised that Mars Inc. and Hershey Foods haven't shown this little junior tyrant what it's really like to try to screw over a multinational corporation like this.

Yea, you can push around your fellow video game chums, but I can't wait to see The King take on the flesh eating lawyers of companies with billions to burn. (5.6 in Hershey Foods, and over 30 billion in the case of Mars Inc.)

And SAGA?! Oh man, you want to bring down the wrath of Walt Disney too? Hope that little game app gives you enough lawyers to survive The Mouse...

don't for get about Hasbro and their lawyers too.
also all Gaians could wear all or some of their candy themed stuff in protest