EA and Ubisoft enter an altercation for “Ghost” trademark

The publishers, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts are primed to clash against the word "ghost". The former even filed a notice of opposition, disputing a pair of trademark applications EA filed for the term last March.

According to NeoGaf, legal documents display that in March of last year, EA filed for a trademark that was quickly met by Ubisoft's opposition on August. But it wasn't until January 29, 2016 that legal action was filed by Ubisoft's lawyers.  

"Since at least as early as 2001," it claimed. The report also added, "Ubisoft has used the trademark GHOST RECON in connection with video games and entertainment services in the nature of online video and computer games...long before Applicant EA filed the Applications on March 18, 2015 and long before Applicant's November 19, 2013 claimed date of first use." 

Kotaku UK mentioned that Ubisoft has been releasing Tom Clancy games since 2001. The publisher claimed that if EA trademarks the word "Ghost" then "consumers are likely to believe, mistakenly, that the goods and services Applicant EA offers under Applicant's Mark are provided, sponsored, endorsed, or approved by Opposers Ubisoft, or are in some way affiliated, connected, or associated with Opposers, all to the detriment of Opposers. Registration of Applicant's Mark, therefore, should be refused."

But this was not the first trademark clash in the games industry. In fact, there was a point when Bethesda tried to block Mojang from calling its strategy game "Scrolls"  as it claimed people would confuse it for an "Elder Scrolls" game.

Moreover, there was also a time that King tried to get Stoic to modify the name of "The Banner Saga" since it claimed that gamers would confuse it for "Candy Crush Saga". And just last month, it was reported that Sony tried, but failed to trademark the phrase "Let's Play", as mentioned in Leader Call.

For now, Ubisoft is reportedly asking the USPTO to decline EA's applications. But then Electronic Arts is still scheduled until March 9 to respond to Ubisoft's opposition.

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