Skyrim Developer Files "Fus Ro Dah" Trademarks

[Wizerzak]

[yt]viSd3jSOeHs[/yt]​

Bethesda is attempting to trademark The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim dragon shout "Fus Ro Dah!".
As reported by Fusible, the developer has submitted six separate trademark applications for the shockwave attack call-out with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, covering categories ranging from computer game software to entertainment services.
When approached for comment by Game Informer, a Bethesda rep stated that it was "just protecting our brand."
The clip above should provide education for the uninitiated.

Source

Inb4 Chinese knock-offs "Fus Ro Deh!"

 

[notmeanymore]

Does this trademark undermine standard free use of game resources?

Are we going to have to pay $1.50 to have a FUS RO DAH ringtone, for example, due to licensing rights, or would I still be able to upload an MP3 of the shout risk free?

Obviously, they don't want some rednecks running around in Fus Ro Dah Plumbing trucks or anything stupid like that.

 

[Wizerzak]

Does this trademark undermine standard free use of game resources?

Are we going to have to pay $1.50 to have a FUS RO DAH ringtone, for example, due to licensing rights, or would I still be able to upload an MP3 of the shout risk free?

Obviously, they don't want some rednecks running around in Fus Ro Dah Plumbing trucks or anything stupid like that.

I presume it means you're not allow to use it while making profit in any of these categories.

 

[RupeeClock]

Remember, same company that didn't want Notch using the name "Scrolls" for his own game, because they own "The Elder Scrolls".

Is there a precedent for trademarking well-known phrases, and catchphrases affiliated and originated from works of fiction? I'm not sure.

 

[Veho]

Remember, same company that didn't want Notch using the name "Scrolls" for his own game, because they own "The Elder Scrolls".

Actually, Notch wanted to trademark the word "scrolls" (and any use of the word in any and all works) for himself. Which is even more in(s)ane.

 

[Ziggy Zigzagoon]

Inb4 Chinese knock-offs "Fus Ro Deh!"

咐蹂龖! /used an online dictionary/

 

[Satangel]

You had me at 'Skyrim', love it

 

[notmeanymore]

Does this trademark undermine standard free use of game resources?

Are we going to have to pay $1.50 to have a FUS RO DAH ringtone, for example, due to licensing rights, or would I still be able to upload an MP3 of the shout risk free?

Obviously, they don't want some rednecks running around in Fus Ro Dah Plumbing trucks or anything stupid like that.

I presume it means you're not allow to use it while making profit in any of these categories.

Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line interactive computer games and providing information relating to electronic computer games via the internet

So they basically just revoked the free use of all Fus Ro Dah audio files contained in the game. Ain't that just fantastic?

 

[Rydian]

Last I checked commercial gain was not under "free use"/

 

[Jamstruth]

Remember, same company that didn't want Notch using the name "Scrolls" for his own game, because they own "The Elder Scrolls".

Actually, Notch wanted to trademark the word "scrolls" (and any use of the word in any and all works) for himself. Which is even more in(s)ane.

I doubt that Notch would have gone trademark Nazi over its use in anything,only trademarking the is for word "Scrolls" for use as a title of a game. Even the. He only applied for it, never heard if it got approved.

As for this, it's no big deal. They just want to stop people using the name for profit.

 

[Gahars]

Bethesda trademarking a popular element from one of its games? Fus Ro Duh

 

[MelodieOctavia]

Makes sense. None of those words are common, and by extension, neither is the phrase. It is specifically tied to skyrim, and Bethesda has every right to claim it as their trademark.

inb4 "Bethesdrone"