A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, the creators of the PS5 game Stellar Blade, for alleged trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, claims that Stellarblade's business has been harmed by the game's use of a similar name.
The film company, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, specializes in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films. Mehaffey argues that Stellar Blade's use of a nearly identical name has negatively impacted their online visibility, making it difficult for potential clients to find their business through online searches.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of the "Stellar Blade" name. Mehaffey also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.
Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, sending a cease and desist letter to Shift Up the following month. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and has operated his film company under that name since 2011. Stellar Blade, originally titled "Project Eve," was announced in 2019 and renamed in 2022, with Shift Up registering the trademark in January 2023.
Mehaffey's lawyer contends that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of Mehaffey's established rights before adopting a nearly identical name. They argue that the similarity of the names and logos, particularly the stylized "S," is confusing to consumers. The lawyer also highlights that Mehaffey's long-standing business has been negatively affected by the game's online presence, pushing his company into "digital obscurity."
It's important to note that trademark rights can have retroactive application, extending beyond the official registration date. The outcome of this lawsuit remains to be seen.
