Breaking: Lawsuit Fuels Confusion in 'Stellar Blade' vs 'Stell

A Louisiana film production company, Stellarblade, has filed a lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, alleging trademark infringement over the name of the PS5 game, Stellar Blade.

Stellar Blade Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

Competing Trademark Claims

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, claims that the game's title damages Stellarblade's business, impacting its online visibility. The film company, specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, argues that the similarity in names makes it difficult for potential clients to find their website.

The plaintiff, Griffith Chambers Mehaffey of Stellarblade, seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of "Stellar Blade" (or variations thereof). He also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials.

Mehaffey registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter sent to Shift Up the previous month. He claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and has operated his film company under that name since 2011. Shift Up registered the "Stellar Blade" trademark in January 2023, after initially using the working title "Project Eve" since 2019.

Mehaffey's lawyer stated to IGN that Sony and Shift Up were likely aware of his pre-existing trademark rights. The lawyer emphasized the long-standing use of the "Stellarblade" name and domain, arguing that the game's superior resources have overshadowed the film company's online presence, threatening its livelihood. The lawsuit also cites similarities in the logos and stylized 'S' as contributing to the confusion.

It's important to note that trademark rights can have retroactive application, extending protection beyond the official registration date. The legal battle highlights the complexities of trademark disputes, especially when similar names are used in different industries.