A Louisiana-based film production company, Stellarblade, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Sony and Shift Up, the developer of the PS5 game Stellar Blade. The suit, filed earlier this month in a Louisiana court, alleges that the game's title infringes upon Stellarblade's existing trademark.

The plaintiff, Griffith Chambers Mehaffey, claims his company, specializing in commercials, documentaries, music videos, and independent films, has suffered damage due to the game's use of the similar name. He argues that the game's online presence overshadows his company's, making it difficult for potential clients to find him through online searches.

Mehaffey seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and an injunction preventing further use of the "Stellar Blade" trademark (or variations thereof). He also demands the destruction of all Stellar Blade marketing materials. He registered the "Stellarblade" trademark in June 2023, following a cease and desist letter to Shift Up. Mehaffey claims ownership of the stellarblade.com domain since 2006 and business operation under the name since 2011.

Mehaffey's lawyer contends that Sony and Shift Up were likely aware of his established rights before choosing a nearly identical name for their game. Stellar Blade, initially known as "Project Eve," was renamed in 2022, with Shift Up registering the trademark in January 2023. The lawyer highlights the "confusingly similar" logos and stylized "S" as further evidence. Importantly, the lawyer emphasizes that trademark rights can often have retroactive application.

The lawsuit highlights the complexities of trademark disputes, particularly when established smaller businesses face challenges from larger corporations with significantly greater resources. The outcome remains to be seen.