A Louisiana-based film production company, Stellarblade, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade. The suit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that the game's title infringes upon Stellarblade's pre-existing trademark.
Stellarblade, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, specializes in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films. Mehaffey claims that Sony and Shift Up's use of "Stellar Blade" has harmed his business by reducing its online visibility. He argues that the game's prominence in search results makes it difficult for potential clients to find his company.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of the "Stellar Blade" name and similar variations. Mehaffey also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.
Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter to Shift Up. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and has operated his film production company under that name since 2011.
Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, months before Mehaffey's registration. However, Stellar Blade was initially known as "Project Eve" (2019), later changing to its current title in 2022. Mehaffey's legal counsel argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of his established rights.
The lawyer further contends that the similarity between the logos and the stylized "S" in both names contributes to the confusion. They emphasize Mehaffey's long-standing use of the name and domain, highlighting the alleged harm caused by the game's dominance in online searches. The lawyer also points out that trademark rights can have retroactive effect. The legal battle highlights the complexities of trademark law and the potential conflicts arising between established smaller businesses and larger corporations.
