Sony in legal wrangle over Buzz trademark

via Games Industry


Sony is currently facing legal proceedings over the trademark Buzz, which it uses for the quiz series developed by UK team Relentless Software.

Buzztime Entertainment in the US had filed a suit against SCEE alleging the Buzz line of games violate a number of the company's trademarks while demanding that all infringing products be recalled and destroyed, along with a payment of damages, reports GameSpot.

The US company also alleges Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is guilty of "malicious, fraudulent, wilful and deliberate" violation of trademarks.

SCEE has acknowledged the lawsuit to GamesIndustry.biz, stating: "We are aware that a complaint has been made against Buzz in the United States, but as is our normal procedure in matters like these we will not be making any public statement."

Buzztime Entertainment makes electronic trivia games usually found in bars and restaurants, as well as running quiz events over mobile phones, through cable TV and plug-and-play devices.

Sony's trademark applications for Buzz are currently pending in North America, but Buzztime Entertainment wants the US Patent and Trademark Office to reject the applications.