PlayStation Sued Over Game Name Dispute by Louisiana Company

Stellar Blade, a game developed by Shift Up and published by Sony, is currently facing a legal issue. A Louisiana-based film production company named Stellarblade LLC has filed a lawsuit against them. The company claims that the use of the name "Stellar Blade" by the game developers infringes on their trademark.

The Background

Stellarblade LLC, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, has been in operation since 2010. They provide multimedia entertainment services, including film production, documentaries, commercials, and music videos. Mehaffey has owned the domain stellarblade.com since 2006 and has used it for his business since 2011.

Initially, the game was announced as Project Eve in 2019. It was rebranded to Stellar Blade in 2022. Shortly after, in January 2023, Shift Up registered the domain for the game. Mehaffey then filed for his trademark in June 2023 and sent a cease and desist letter to Shift Up in July.

The Legal Claims

Mehaffey claims that his customers can no longer easily find information about his business online. Searches for "Stellarblade" now primarily return results related to the game. He also argues that the trademarks are confusingly similar, pointing to the color schemes and stylized "S" in both logos.

Mehaffey's logo was registered in August 2023 in Louisiana and in November in Mississippi. The game’s logo was registered in May 2024 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

What Mehaffey Wants

• Prevent Shift Up and Sony from using the name "Stellar Blade" or similar names.
• Obtain all documents with the name "Stellar Blade" for destruction.
• Receive compensation for damages and legal fees.

Attorney's Statement

Mehaffey's attorney stated that given the long-term public use of the name, it is hard to believe Shift Up and Sony were unaware of Mehaffey's rights. They argue that the larger companies have monopolized online search results, pushing Mehaffey's business into obscurity.

Game Review

Despite the legal troubles, Stellar Blade was released in April this year and received an 8/10 rating. The game features an open world, detailed linear levels, thrilling combat, a memorable soundtrack, and a complex story. It is a solid game, even though some felt the characters' outfits overshadowed their personalities.

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