King, if you're not in the know, is the developer of the popular Candy Crush Saga game for mobile devices (and Facebook) everywhere. You swine.
Like all companies, King wants to protect their property. That's pretty reasonable. Like all kings, however, they want total control over their subjects. This is a little less reasonable.
Yeah, I know how it is. Today it's the video games and clothing, tomorrow it's the strippers and music. Somebody get Aaron Carter on the line, he needs to know!
Now for all the boring, bland caveats. Like the news blurb said, this is limited to the realm of video games and clothing (Because merchandising!). While all of this is in writing and on the books, continuing to enforce something like this might be another matter entirely. Plus, of course, candy companies can't be sued because "candy" is used to identify their product, not as a trademark.
Still, this is pretty blatant shenanigans on King's part, and it really hurts smaller developers who may not be able to afford the legal fees necessary to fight back.
Welcome to the future, everyone. Welcome to the King-dumb.
Like all companies, King wants to protect their property. That's pretty reasonable. Like all kings, however, they want total control over their subjects. This is a little less reasonable.
GameZeboIn a filing with the US trademark office dated February 6, 2013, King.com Limited registered claim to the word ‘candy’ as it pertains to video games and, strangely, clothing. On January 15, 2014 the filing was approved. And now, a mere five days later, reports are coming in from developers that they’re being asked to remove their app (or prove that their game doesn’t infringe upon the trademark).
“Lots of devs are frustrated cause it seems so ridiculous” says Benny Hsu, the maker of All Candy Casino Slots – Jewel Craze Connect: Big Blast Mania Land. Benny’s game, which shares no similarities with King’s properties aside from the word ‘candy,’ is one of a number of games that have been targeted by King.
Yeah, I know how it is. Today it's the video games and clothing, tomorrow it's the strippers and music. Somebody get Aaron Carter on the line, he needs to know!
Now for all the boring, bland caveats. Like the news blurb said, this is limited to the realm of video games and clothing (Because merchandising!). While all of this is in writing and on the books, continuing to enforce something like this might be another matter entirely. Plus, of course, candy companies can't be sued because "candy" is used to identify their product, not as a trademark.
Still, this is pretty blatant shenanigans on King's part, and it really hurts smaller developers who may not be able to afford the legal fees necessary to fight back.
Welcome to the future, everyone. Welcome to the King-dumb.