The word "candy" is now trademarked.

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**dogma**

At least if used in the context of computer games, clothing, or educational services relating to computers.

**LordofHats**

Well see how long that lasts

I remember that one kitchen nightmares episode with that woman in Baltimore who trademarked 'Hon' and then got blasted by everyone when she tried to enforce it.

**Kilkrazy**

Yes, I've always wondered why it is possible to trademark the title of computer games when it isn't possible to trademark the title of books or films, etc.

**Hordini**

Kilkrazy wrote:
Yes, I've always wondered why it is possible to trademark the title of computer games when it isn't possible to trademark the title of books or films, etc.

It is possible to trademark the titles of books or films.

**dogma**

LordofHats wrote:
Well see how long that lasts

Agreed. Honestly, I'm just baffled that the trademark was approved in the first place. At least it appears they weren't also able to do the same with "saga".

**Ahtman**

Hordini wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
Yes, I've always wondered why it is possible to trademark the title of computer games when it isn't possible to trademark the title of books or films, etc.

It is possible to trademark the titles of books or films.

Possible, but only for series, and only elements of the title at that point.

Literary titles – such as book or movie titles – fall in a gray area in U.S. law. For instance, although a book or movie is protected by copyright, its title isn’t. Copyright simply doesn’t cover titles.

And even if the title is distinctive, such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, courts and the Trademark Office say it can’t be registered as a trademark, even though distinctive words and slogans can be registered as trademarks in other contexts. There’s an exception for series titles, such as Harry Potter, but that’s of no help to single-work titles.

Same Title, Different Movie

**LordofHats**

Eh. Someone in the Trademark office was probably too busy playing Angry Birds to realize they'd accidentally grabbed the 'approved' stamp by mistake.

**Kilkrazy**

Hordini wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
Yes, I've always wondered why it is possible to trademark the title of computer games when it isn't possible to trademark the title of books or films, etc.

It is possible to trademark the titles of books or films.

If so, then why are other people allowed to make books and films with the same title?

**Squigsquasher**

Wut.

That's just silly.

**Hordini**

Kilkrazy wrote:
Hordini wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
Yes, I've always wondered why it is possible to trademark the title of computer games when it isn't possible to trademark the title of books or films, etc.

It is possible to trademark the titles of books or films.

If so, then why are other people allowed to make books and films with the same title?

It requires that the book or movie be part of a series, like Star Wars or Harry Potter. Ahtman's post sums it up pretty well.

**SagesStone**

Shame the bejeweled company can't come along and backhand them for stealing their game... However Cadbury does hold trademark over the colour purple and I don't really see that stopping anyone. Oh wait.

**AlexHolker**

n0t_u wrote:
Shame the bejeweled company can't come along and backhand them for stealing their game... However Cadbury does hold trademark over the colour purple and I don't really see that stopping anyone. Oh wait.

Cadbury was claiming a trademark only over a specific shade of purple. At the moment, they've lost.

**SagesStone**

I know, that's why the "Oh wait."

It's nice to see a company get backhanded over something like that.

**Palindrome**

These fools are also attempting to trademark 'saga' and have even been threatening another developer who dared to make a game with saga in the title. Not impressed

**Squigsquasher**

There's a petition to stop this here: http://www.change.org/petitions/us-patent-and-trademark-office-do-not-allow-king-to-trademark-the-words-candy-or-saga?share_id=SqnCpbGOya&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

**Kilkrazy**

Palindrome wrote:
These fools are also attempting to trademark 'saga' and have even been threatening another developer who dared to make a game with saga in the title. Not impressed

They won't succeed with that.

Aga is already a trademark of the Aga cooker company, and the letter S was trademarked by Sesame Street in the 1980s.

**Grey Templar**

Sesame Street also clearly has all the numbers trademarked as well.

**Andrew1975**

Im going to trademark "Book", "Movie" and "Game" Screw everyone!

**Miguelsan**

This is Spot the Space Marine all over again. (facepalm)

M.

**easysauce**

Sounds like a lot of strippers have to get their name changed.

**feeder**

easysauce wrote:
Sounds like a lot of strippers have to get their name changed.

That whole "consumer confusion" angle could really come in handy.

"WHAT are you doing with that SKANK!?"

"Oh, you mean this isn't that new iphone game everyone is talking about??"

**Palindrome**

easysauce wrote:
Sounds like a lot of strippers have to get their name changed.

Aren't they usually called Kandi or Candi? Presumably this won;t affect them

**BaronIveagh**

It's been tried, and failed, IIRC, with 'Scroll' in the past.