Hoo boy.
http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2014/0...rked-word-candy-and-youre-probably-infringing
Lots more at the link. What a bunch of crap.
http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2014/0...rked-word-candy-and-youre-probably-infringing
In a filing with the US trademark office dated February 6, 2013, King.com Limited registered claim to the word candy as it pertains to video games and, strangely, clothing. On January 15, 2014 the filing was approved. And now, a mere five days later, reports are coming in from developers that theyre being asked to remove their app (or prove that their game doesnt infringe upon the trademark).
Lots of devs are frustrated cause it seems so ridiculous says Benny Hsu, the maker of All Candy Casino Slots Jewel Craze Connect: Big Blast Mania Land. Bennys game, which shares no similarities with Kings properties aside from the word candy, is one of a number of games that have been targeted by King.
Hsu contacted Sophie Hallstrom, Kings IP paralegal, to discuss the matter further. Rather than the simple oops, our mistake that Benny was hoping for, he was given a very finite response. Your use of CANDY SLOTS in your app icon uses our CANDY trade mark exactly, for identical goods, which amounts to trade mark infringement and is likely to lead to consumer confusion and damage to our brand, reads Hallstroms reply. The addition of only the descriptive term "SLOTS" does nothing to lessen the likelihood of confusion.
Lots more at the link. What a bunch of crap.