A Louisiana film production company, "Stellarblade," has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade. The suit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that the game's title infringes on the film company's trademark.
Registered Trademarks at the Heart of the Dispute
The core of the dispute lies in the strikingly similar names. Stellarblade, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, provides commercial, documentary, music video, and independent film production services. Mehaffey claims that Sony and Shift Up's use of "Stellar Blade" has harmed his business by reducing its online visibility. He argues that search results for "Stellarblade" are now dominated by the game, making it difficult for potential clients to find his company.
Mehaffey seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction to prevent further use of the "Stellar Blade" name and any variations. He also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials. He registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter to Shift Up. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006, actively using the name in his business since 2011.
Timing and Trademark Retroactivity
The timeline is crucial. Stellar Blade, initially known as "Project Eve," was announced in 2019, rebranded in 2022, and trademarked by Shift Up in January 2023. Mehaffey's trademark registration came months later. However, his lawyer argues that Shift Up and Sony should have been aware of Mehaffey's pre-existing rights. The lawyer also emphasizes the "confusingly similar" logos and stylized "S," and notes that trademark rights can have retroactive application.
Mehaffey's lawyer stated to IGN that the company believes in fair competition but that larger companies shouldn't disregard the rights of smaller businesses. They contend that Stellar Blade's superior resources have monopolized online search results, harming Mehaffey's business. The legal battle highlights the complexities of trademark law and the potential conflicts between established businesses and newer, larger entities.
