A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, the developers of the PS5 game Stellar Blade, for alleged trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, claims that the game's name damages Stellarblade's business and hinders its online visibility.
Stellarblade, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, specializes in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films. Mehaffey argues that the similarity between the names and logos, particularly the stylized "S," causes confusion and harms his business's online presence. He claims customers searching for "Stellarblade" are overwhelmed by results for the video game.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction to prevent further use of the "Stellar Blade" trademark. Mehaffey also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.
Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, after sending a cease and desist letter to Shift Up. He points out that he has owned the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and operated his film company under that name since 2011. Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, after initially using the working title "Project Eve" for the game.
Mehaffey's lawyer contends that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of his existing trademark rights. They argue that the game's success has overshadowed Stellarblade's online presence, threatening Mehaffey's livelihood. The lawyer emphasizes the importance of protecting smaller businesses from the actions of larger corporations.
It's important to note that trademark rights can have retroactive application, extending beyond the official registration date. The outcome of this lawsuit will depend on the court's interpretation of trademark law and the evidence presented.
