YouTubers need no longer fidget frantically, as Sony's request to trademark the term 'Let's Play' has been denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office – but not because it's a popular phrase among gamers. Instead, it was denied use because of a similar trademark held since 2013 by Let'z Play of America, a Georgian-based organisation whose employees all failed English Language class in junior school.
Details regarding this trademark popped up earlier in the week and instantly caused a stir in the overreacting online arena as many instantly assumed that the PlayStation maker would block YouTubers from using the popular phrase. More likely is that it was intending to use this for a new advertising campaign – we very much doubt that it ever planned on pulling the millions upon millions of videos already bearing the moniker.
While the submission has been denied for the time being, the platform holder can submit an appeal, which needs to be completed by 29th June before the ruling is final. The company's yet to make a comment on the submission, presumably because it doesn't want to outline its upcoming marketing plans. We'd recommend that it shelves this idea, though – purely because it's already prompted people to jump to all of the wrong conclusions.
[source tsdr.uspto.gov, via polygon.com]
Comments 15
Roosterteeth breathes a sigh of relief.
It was fun seeing some YouTubers squirm though, if nothing else it might make them come up with more original titles.
Whos great idea was it at Sony to try and do this there was no way it could ever be trademarked to them.
@dryrain Why not? As the article says, the only reason it was denied is because a similar trademark already exists.
I like the ridiculousness of people getting annoyed that Sony are trying to trademark the phrase without anyone realising it had already been trademarked. Where was their anger or worry then? Where was the seismic shift in gaming culture where no one could use the phrase "Let's Play" on Youtube.
I still think it's dumb stuff like Candy or Let's Play can be trademarked.
@Matroska
Maybe it's because the company that has the similar trademark has nothing to do with gaming? Beyond that, I don't blame anybody for getting concerned. I know everybody on here loves to pretend Sony is a wonderful, angelic company that never does anything wrong when the fact is Sony is just as likely to screw over the consumers as MS, EA or even Nintendo.
I kinda think the worrying was justified. Companies go willy nilly with trademarks quite a bit.
@DerMeister
Nah, it's wonderful and perfect Sony. It would never try to screw consumers over.
@Gamer83 It doesn't matter, if it's trademarked then the company can stop the use of the word. Every time someone uses "Let's Play", they're using a trademarked phrase. The company that owns the trademark is equally legal able to stop use of the word as Sony would be. It's like seeing a bunch of people protesting about an upcoming Tesco in their town, saying if a Tesco is built it will ruin their town, only to be told there's been a Tesco there for 10 years.
Besides, Sony have trademarked "Sony" and "Playstation" and people can still use those words. It's just idiotic children following each other's badly formed opinions like sheep.
@Gamer83 I know you think everyone here would gladly put up with Sony's stink, but hey, I have my gripes with companies too. I don't air them out all the time, because underhanded tactics and such and so go hand in hand with business. Sony taking Street Fighter. MS taking Tomb Raider. It sucks not everyone can have them (or in TR's case, not right away), but that's how business spins it's wheels. One of my gripes was with Gravity Rush, which I'm sure you remember. Even if I could somewhat understand the reasoning for lack of a stateside release (it's niche, so it may not sell well and therefore, it's not woth it), it still irritated me because it's not building a franchise. My gripe with them right now is how Ratchet will be buried under Uncharted's hype. "Yes, let's throw $ at Uncharted even though we also have a movie with one our icons as well". It's a missed opportunity. So yes, a company going nuts with a trademark? I can see it.
I know your response was a joke and I mean no hostility. I apologise if I come across as such. No company is perfect, and I'm sure you already knew that. Just saying I do too.
"Let us play" Sounds clumsy or classy depending on your perspective.
People getting their knickers in a twist over something they don't understand, as usual.
Even if Sony had succeeded, it wouldn't have prevented anyone using the phrase. If you look into trademarks, there are tons of everyday names and phrases which are trademarked, yet no-one has to cough up when they use them.
I'd now go for "Let's Game".
People getting their knickers in a twist over something they don't understand, as usual.
Even if Sony had succeeded, it wouldn't have prevented anyone using the phrase. If you look into trademarks, there are tons of everyday names and phrases which are trademarked, yet no-one has to cough up when they use them.
I'd now go for "Let's Game".
It is likely that Sony recognise this term as gospel and established so want the average consumer, at a glance, to associate every let's play video they see to the Sony brand, making the 2 household terms synominous
Thus it would actually harm their market presence by removing any let's play video title.
It wouldn't even make sense blocking ms or ninty videos with this moniker as leaving it in subtely undermines the other brand and introduces a Sony undercurrent to a non Sony product.
Bldy clever marketing actually. Kudos sony
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