Stellar Blade vs \"Stellarblade\" Lawsuit Makes It More Confusing

A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, is suing Sony and Shift Up, the creators of the PS5 game Stellar Blade, for trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that the game's name damages Stellarblade's business and hinders its online visibility.

Stellarblade, owned by Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, specializes in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films. Mehaffey claims that the similarity between the names and logos, particularly the stylized "S," causes confusion and harms his business's online presence. He registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, after Shift Up registered "Stellar Blade" in January 2023, but argues that his prior use of the name and domain (stellarblade.com, registered in 2006) establishes his rights.

Mehaffey seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, an injunction preventing further use of "Stellar Blade," and the destruction of all related materials. His lawyer argues that Sony and Shift Up should have been aware of Mehaffey's established rights before choosing the game's name, given the similarity and Mehaffey's long-standing use of the name. The lawsuit highlights the complexities of trademark law, particularly the retroactive application of rights.

The game, initially known as "Project Eve," was renamed "Stellar Blade" in 2022. The legal battle underscores the potential challenges faced by smaller businesses when larger corporations adopt similar trademarks. Mehaffey's lawyer emphasizes the importance of protecting smaller businesses from the impact of larger companies' actions on online search results.

The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the gaming and film industries, as it highlights the importance of thorough trademark research and the potential consequences of overlooking existing rights.