Add to Bookmarks
Blizzard made an appeal to the Beijing Municipal First Intermediate People's Court against the decision, pointing out that the registration is for Game News, E-sports and other projects trademarked for the company's Battle.net online game service platform and claiming that these services are definitely not set up in order to "disseminate feudal superstition or engaging in superstitious, illegal activities."
They further argued that "StarCraft: Ghost" is only a computer game name, which has nothing to do with superstition, and will not produce "adverse effects". The Company already have 9 types of merchandise registrations for the name. The Trademark written out as "STARCRAFT: GHOST" translates to StarCraft: Ghost, and is a name completely lacking any relation to feudal superstition.
Despite all this, the Court informed Blizzard that the request of Blizzard's suit has been dismissed by the Court, as it consider the trademark language used to easily lead to adverse effects. Blizzard has already filed an appeal against the Court's decision.
This registration shows that Blizzard still are keeping the trademark of StarCraft: Ghost alive, and might still be working on it considering it's specifically mentioned as part of their Battle.net services. Regardless of some rumours, the game was never cancelled, like some Blizzard titles, but just put on "indefinite hold". The lack of console network mention could be that their registration for that use has already gone through, or StarCraft: Ghost could have turned into a PC game, possibly even Blizzard's new, mysterious MMO...
Considering how the original SC: Ghost was more of a "Metal Gear Solid" type game, it would be hard to make it into an e-sport. Regardless of MMO status, a more action-inspired game is likely to come out of the StarCraft: Ghost trademark. Funny that the MMOSite thinks this is likely too...
So essentially some palmgreasing is in order? A move like this is good for us in that lets us know Blizzard is still active on the subject of Ghost.. but bad for the company in that they’re going to have to shell out some dough or rebrand themselves to get things done :/