The Triforce is an iconic symbol from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series. It's been used in games, toys, clothes, and to decorate some of Nintendo's limited edition handheld systems. So it would make sense that Nintendo would want ensure their ownership of it, and as of now, they certainly are trying to. The company registered a trademark for usage of the word Triforce in all gaming media (mobile, handheld, and console games). It's interesting to note that Nintendo of America has had a trademark on the name since 2011, but Nintendo of Japan has not.

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[MikaDubbz]

Oh for fuck's sake Nintendo. You can't trademark/patent/copyright putting 3 triangles together unless you invented triangles themselves.

What's next? Breaking news: Squares invented by gaming company!

Have some decency.

lol, you absolutely can trademark/patent/copyright a series of simple shapes if that's you're logo.

 

[pro-pumper]

it's like SONY, when they try to do a trademark for "Blue - Ray"

 

[WhiteMaze]

lol, you absolutely can trademark/patent/copyright a series of simple shapes if that's you're logo.

If I am not mistaken, the Microsoft logo is trademark'd. I don't think it's even copyrighted, and certainly not patented. Obviously because Microsoft did not invent rectangles.

And honestly, this is the way it should be. Otherwise you would spend 2 weeks making logos arrangements in every possible way, using simple shapes and monopolize the market. Meaning any company who came up with a logo even remotely similar to what you had done and patented and copyrighted before, would have to pay you for using it.

EDIT: After further investigation, looks like I was correct. The word and font "Microsoft" is registered. The actual rectangles logo is trademarked.

That being said, I'm glad I participated in this thread. Learnt a lot about these things.

 

[Deleted User]

I see delta (industrial power tool company not the airline) gerting pissed
Since a triforce is 99% of the tool casing

 

[Knight of Time]

As a big Legend of Zelda fan myself, I was wondering when this would happen.

 

[Osha]

GBAtemp once again showing their lack of reading comprehension... Y'all love to shit on other websites for blowing things out of proportions, but I think some of the posts here could get a medal.

 

[MikaDubbz]

If I am not mistaken, the Microsoft logo is trademark'd. I don't think it's even copyrighted, and certainly not patented. Obviously because Microsoft did not invent rectangles.

And honestly, this is the way it should be. Otherwise you would spend 2 weeks making logos arrangements in every possible way, using simple shapes and monopolize the market. Meaning any company who came up with a logo even remotely similar to what you had done and patented and copyrighted before, would have to pay you for using it.

EDIT: After further investigation, looks like I was correct. The word and font "Microsoft" is registered. The actual rectangles logo is trademarked.

That being said, I'm glad I participated in this thread. Learnt a lot about these things.

Trademark was one of the words I used that you had initially used.... and if Nintendo here had applied for a trademark on the simple Triforce design, then I don't see how the Windows trademarked logo example isn't a perfect reflection of what may have happened here, nor why either is something that shouldn't or can't be trademarked like you were initially stating was ridiculous.

 

[Condarkness_XY]

This is gonna be funny or ugly. Everyone uses this symbol (far too generic), and has any company that has or is using this symbol done so before Nintendo?

 

[WhiteMaze]

Trademark was one of the words I used that you had initially used.... and if Nintendo here had applied for a trademark on the simple Triforce design, then I don't see how the Windows trademarked logo example isn't a perfect reflection of what may have happened here, nor why either is something that shouldn't or can't be trademarked like you were initially stating was ridiculous.

Indeed. Turns out trademark'ing is far more open-ended than registering or patent.