"Stellar Blade" Lawsuit Sparks Confusion

A legal battle has erupted between an American film production company and Sony, along with developer Shift Up, over the PlayStation 5 hit game, Stellar Blade. The core of the conflict revolves around alleged trademark infringement, adding a layer of complexity to the gaming world.

Stellar Blade Sued By “Stellarblade” for Trademark Infringement

Shift Up, the creative force behind the PS5 action-adventure game Stellar Blade, and Sony are facing a lawsuit from a Louisiana-based film production company named "Stellarblade." The company, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, specializes in "Commercials, Documentaries, Music Videos & Independent Films." They claim that their business has been adversely affected by the use of the name "Stellar Blade" for the game, arguing that it has diluted their online visibility. Customers seeking information on "Stellarblade" are now confronted with search results dominated by the game, making it challenging to find the film company's content.

Mehaffey is seeking monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction to halt Sony and Shift Up from using the "Stellar Blade" trademark or any similar variations. He has also requested that all "Stellar Blade" materials in the possession of the game companies be transferred to him for destruction.

The timeline of trademark filings adds another dimension to this dispute. Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023 and promptly sent a cease and desist letter to Shift Up in July of the same year. He has owned the stellarblade.com domain since 2006, which he began using for his film production company in 2011.

In a statement to IGN, Mehaffey's lawyer expressed skepticism about Sony and Shift Up's unawareness of Mehaffey's established rights, especially since Stellar Blade was initially announced as "Project Eve" in 2019 before being renamed in 2022. Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, several months before Mehaffey's filing.

Mehaffey's legal representation emphasized the long-standing use of the STELLARBLADE name, stating, "Mr. Mehaffey registered the stellarblade.com domain in 2006 and has used the STELLARBLADE name for his business for nearly 15 years. We believe in fair competition, but when larger companies disregard the established rights of smaller businesses, it's our responsibility to stand up and protect our brand." They further argued that Sony and Shift Up's superior resources have monopolized online search results, pushing Mehaffey's business into obscurity and threatening his livelihood.

Mehaffey also pointed out similarities between the logos and the stylized letter 'S' in both names, claiming they are "confusingly similar." It's important to note that trademark rights can apply retroactively, extending protection beyond the filing date of the trademark.