informa
/
1 MIN READ
News

Sony's attempts to own 'Let's Play' rebuffed by Patent and Trademark Office

Sony Computer Entertainment America has tried, and failed, to trademark the term 'Let's Play."

Sony Computer Entertainment America has tried, and failed, to trademark the term "Let's Play."

A listing on Justia Trademarks, picked up by a NeoGAF user, confirms that Sony applied for the trademark on October 31, 2015. 

Sony defined the popular phrase as the "electronic transmission and streaming of video games via global and local computer networks; streaming of audio, visual, and audiovisual material via global and local computer networks," hinting that the PlayStation creator wanted to stop competitors, and potentially YouTubers, from using the term. 

The United States Patent and Trademark Office subsequently refused Sony's application "because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark […] LP Let'z Play," and sent the company a non-final action on December 29, 2015. 

Applicants have six months to reply to a non-final action before a final refusal is issued, meaning Sony has until June 29 to argue its case before losing out on the trademark altogether.

Latest Jobs

IO Interactive

Hybrid (Malmö, Sweden)
3.02.23
Gameplay Director (Project Fantasy)

Arizona State University

Los Angeles, CA, USA
2.27.23
Assistant Professor of XR Technologies

IO Interactive

Hybrid (Copenhagen, Denmark)
3.02.23
Animation Tech Programmer

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN, USA
3.02.23
Assistant Professor in Game Design and Development
More Jobs   

CONNECT WITH US

Explore the
Advertise with
Follow us

Game Developer Job Board

Game Developer

@gamedevdotcom

Explore the

Game Developer Job Board

Browse open positions across the game industry or recruit new talent for your studio

Browse
Advertise with

Game Developer

Engage game professionals and drive sales using an array of Game Developer media solutions to meet your objectives.

Learn More
Follow us

@gamedevdotcom

Follow us @gamedevdotcom to stay up-to-date with the latest news & insider information about events & more