Stellar Blade Lawsuit Complicates Name Usage

A US film production company is suing Sony and Shift Up, alleging trademark infringement over the successful PS5 game, Stellar Blade.

Trademark Dispute Over "Stellar Blade"

"Stellarblade," a Louisiana-based film production company, filed a lawsuit earlier this month, claiming trademark infringement against Shift Up (the developer) and Sony. The company, specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, alleges that the game's use of the similar name "Stellar Blade" has harmed their business. They contend that the game's online presence overshadows their own, making it difficult for potential clients to find their company online.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction to prevent further use of "Stellar Blade" or similar names. Remarkably, the plaintiff also requests the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.

The "Stellarblade" trademark was registered in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter to Shift Up. The plaintiff claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and business operation under the name since 2011. Conversely, Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, after initially using the working title "Project Eve" since 2019.

The plaintiff's lawyer argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of the pre-existing trademark. They highlight the fifteen-year use of the "Stellarblade" name and the alleged monopolization of online search results by the game, harming the film company's online visibility and livelihood. The lawyer also points to similarities between the logos and the stylized "S" as further evidence of infringement. It's important to note that trademark rights can have retroactive application.

The legal battle highlights the complexities of trademark law and the potential conflicts arising from similar names in different industries.