I confess, I play Candy Crush Saga. No, it’s not a great game, and I don’t play that often, but I know I can’t quit. I’m addicted. So even when I thought King was being dodgy with their Candy trademark, I was still playing their game. But now, I can do so with a slightly easier conscience.
Geoff told you last month about King filing to trademark ‘Candy’. They started going after other games that made use of candy themes, even when it was unclear who the original plagiarists were. While King defended themselves, saying it wasn’t bullying but a preemptive form of self defense made necessary by US IP law, they now seem to be backing down.
King filed documents withdrawing their application to trademark ‘Candy’ in the US of A. In a statement to Games Industry, they confirmed:
King has withdrawn its trademark application for Candy in the U.S., which we applied for in February 2013 before we acquired the early rights to Candy Crusher. Each market that King operates in is different with regard to IP. We feel that having the rights to Candy Crusher is the best option for protecting Candy Crush in the U.S. market. This does not affect our E.U. trademark for Candy and we continue to take all appropriate steps to protect our IP.
I’m glad to see King backing down on this, even if they are still trademarking things in other parts of the world. IP law is such a strange beast and needs some serious reform – people have been saying as much for years. However, until that happens, I’m sure that we will see many more bizarre cases like these in the future.
Last Updated: February 26, 2014
VampyreSquirrel
February 26, 2014 at 13:06
Yay! I can say Candy without worrying about king.com suing me.
Kensei Seraph
February 26, 2014 at 13:30
Now we just need to get the write to say S*ga again.
CrasH
February 27, 2014 at 10:48
We will have to follow this saga of IP law as it continues but likely that the whole lawsuit would have been crushed in anycase. But this is still a sweet victory for now.
King Lawyer
February 26, 2014 at 13:37
We are sending you papers as we speak.
TiMsTeR1033
February 26, 2014 at 13:39
you spoke too soon it seems.
VampyreSquirrel
February 26, 2014 at 13:49
It seems that way, quite the s*g*, I’m quite cr*sh*d.
TiMsTeR1033
February 26, 2014 at 13:50
hahaha.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 26, 2014 at 13:24
It will never be reformed. Too much money involved.
Sk3tz0
February 26, 2014 at 13:36
They Might of Dropped the Case.. But i’m Still Gonna copy write.. Swag and YOLO.. and charge Millions for people to use it..
Weanerdog
February 26, 2014 at 13:56
Is YOLO offensive to Hindus?
VampyreSquirrel
February 26, 2014 at 13:58
hahahahahahaha!!! can’t breathe!!! hahahahaha!!!
Rock789
February 26, 2014 at 13:50
Have not and will not play the spawn of all that is evil that is known as… Candy Crush!! **queue the evil music**
They wanna be a$$es, then let ’em. But I won’t help bankroll their legal addiction (besides, they have plenty of addicts worldwide who are attached to their game that can help with that 😉 ).
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 26, 2014 at 16:55
Meanwhile a famous fast food chain in America now own the word KING. Karma is a bitch 😛
I made that up.