A legal battle has ensued between Monster Energy and Glowstick Entertainment over the use of the word “monster” in the title of the game, Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals. Monster Energy has allegedly threatened legal action against Glowstick Entertainment, ordering them to cease use of the word “monster” in the title of the game and any future games. Additionally, the energy drink company is seeking to prohibit the developer from selling any products that utilize the colors green, white, or black.
Background:
Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals is a multiplayer horror game that was released on Steam last year. Glowstick Entertainment claims that the game’s title was inspired by classic horror films and that the word “monster” is a staple of the genre. However, Monster Energy apparently sees things differently and has been aggressively pursuing legal action against the developer. Vincent Livings, the developer behind Dark Deception, has taken to social media to voice his grievances and fight back against the energy drink company’s claims, creating a petition and garnering support from the gaming community.
Monster Energy’s Claims:
Monster Energy argues that Glowstick Entertainment’s use of the word “monster” in the game’s title infringes upon its trademark rights. According to the company, the use of the word “monster” in any other context might lead consumers to believe they are purchasing a Monster Energy product. Lawyers for the energy drink company have reportedly sent notices to Glowstick Entertainment, claiming that the word “Monster” is a famous trademark that has been associated with the company for decades.
Developer’s Response:
Despite these claims, Glowstick Entertainment has refused to change the game’s title. Vincent Livings, the game’s developer, has responded by saying that he does not believe that the title of his game infringes on Monster Energy’s trademark rights. He also claims to have evidence that shows Monster Energy is being overly aggressive in seeking legal action.
Industry Precedent:
This is not the first time a video game developer has been sued over the use of a word or phrase in their title. In 2011, Bethesda Softworks sued Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, over its use of the word “Scrolls” in the title of a new card game. Bethesda claimed that the use of the word infringed upon its trademark of the “Elder Scrolls” franchise. In the end, the two companies were able to settle the dispute before it went to court.
The Future of Dark Deception:
As of now, it is unclear what the future holds for Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals. The game is still available for purchase on Steam, and Glowstick Entertainment has not yet announced any plans to change the title. Vincent Livings has said that he plans to fight any legal action that Monster Energy takes against his company. The situation is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen who will come out on top in this legal battle between a video game developer and one of the biggest energy drink companies in the world.
