The gutless corporation that frequently issues DMCA takedowns towards Grand Theft Auto game modders believes it holds the trademark for the letter R.
In April 2023, Remedy Entertainment introduced a redesigned logo featuring a stylized “R,” which they described as embodying a “fresh and refined look” for the studio.
However, recent findings by Respawn First reveal that Take-Two Interactive has lodged oppositions against Remedy’s trademark application in the UK and EU, asserting a “likelihood of confusion” with its own Rockstar Games logo.
Given how I am blessed with the gift of sight I cannot make any connections between both logos, apart from the fact that both logos feature the letter R, but of course Take-Two interactive have a trademark which lets you know that they are “true” and “honest”.
Remedy initiated the trademark application process with the EU’s Intellectual Property Office on April 13, 2023, a day prior to its public revelation. Subsequently, filings were made with the UK’s IPO on May 11 and the US Patent and Trademark Office on May 24.
Take-Two raised objections with the EU IPO on July 26, 2023, and then with the UK on September 12. As of now, the US PTO does not indicate whether any opposition has been submitted, as the trademark application is currently in the stage of “awaiting assignment to an examining attorney.”
Given how Remedy Entertainment are apparently infringing upon Take-Two’s trademark by featuring a distorted R as their logo design, another company that’s clearly infringing upon Rockstar Games is none other than Rolls-Royce, the luxury automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1906 has not one R but two R’s in their logo design.
Twice the R’s, twice the infringement.
The opposition filing on the EU’s Intellectual Property Office website by Take-Two cites concerns about a “likelihood of confusion [or] unfair advantage/detriment to distinctiveness or repute.” While not explicitly mentioning Rockstar, an image of the logo is attached as part of a separate filing supporting the claim.
The peculiar aspect of this situation, especially for casual observers, lies in the seemingly long-standing and presumably positive relationship between Remedy and Take-Two.
Take-Two obtained the rights to Max Payne in 2002, and Rockstar, a subsidiary of Take-Two, subsequently published Max Payne 2 in 2003.
Notably, Rockstar developed and released Max Payne 3 in 2012 with Remedy’s endorsement. In 2022, Remedy and Rockstar jointly announced plans to remake the first two Max Payne games, a project still in progress.
Given this well-established collaboration, it appears unusual that disagreements over the visual resemblance of their respective logos have emerged.
Despite the potential for resolution before entering the adversarial phase of opposition proceedings, as stated by the EU’s IPO, a filing in October 2023 indicates that both Remedy and Take-Two have requested an extension to the “cooling off period,” now extended until September 6, 2025.
This extended timeframe provides them ample opportunity to resolve the matter. However, considering Take-Two’s history, particularly its opposition to Hazelight Studios’ trademark filing for “It Takes Two” in 2021, it’s evident that Take-Two is assertive in safeguarding its intellectual properties, or rather they’re just cunts.
Attorney Richard Hoeg of Hoeg Law foresaw such actions, emphasizing that Take-Two is sending a “clear message to others”, asserting their intent to protect elements like the name Rockstar, the letter R, or specific words associated with their brand.
While such actions may not be illegal, they undeniably reflect a proactive and assertive approach, but in all honesty Take-Two Interactive is one of many horrible corporations that deserve to be obliterated for their distain towards consumers alongside having little regard for actual lawful conduct.
