Legal Confusion: Lawsuit Disturbs Search for "Stellar Blade"

A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade, for trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that Sony and Shift Up's use of the similar name "Stellar Blade" has damaged Stellarblade's business.

The film company, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, claims the game's name negatively impacts their online visibility, making it difficult for potential clients to find their website, stellarblade.com (registered in 2006). Mehaffey asserts that the similarity between the names and logos, particularly the stylized "S," causes confusion.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, an injunction preventing further use of "Stellar Blade," and the destruction of all related game materials. Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, after Shift Up registered "Stellar Blade" in January 2023 (the game was initially known as "Project Eve"). However, trademark rights can have retroactive application.

Mehaffey's lawyer argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of his pre-existing trademark rights. They contend that the larger company's actions have pushed Stellarblade into "digital obscurity," threatening Mehaffey's livelihood.

The case highlights the complexities of trademark law and the potential conflicts arising from similar names in different industries. The outcome will depend on the court's assessment of the similarity between the marks, the likelihood of consumer confusion, and the timing of the respective trademark registrations.