The Perseverance of a Trademark Troll 63
Sockatume writes "Eurogamer has published an article on Tim Langdell's battle against the Edge iPhone game. Langdell, a British entrepreneur, founded Softek (later renamed The Edge, Edge Games and Edge Interactive Media Inc.) in the 1980s as a venture to fund game development, with profits to be split 50/50 with the developers. He moved to California in the 1990s in the wake of accusations of failing to pay his developers. Now a professor in games studies at National University, an IGDA board member, and a former member of BAFTA-LA's board, 'Dr.' Langdell spends his time accusing people of infringing his trademarks and offering to settle. After delivering a settle-or-die ultimatum to Edge publisher Mobigames (detailed in the article), he has convinced Apple to pull the game from the App Store. Mobigames is preparing to strike back: their lawyer believes that his trademarks are 'liable to be revoked.' Langdell has had a spate of bad press lately as other trademark disputes come to light, involving entities ranging from EA Games to Britain's venerable Edge Magazine (source of Edge Games' logo and now registering its own Edge trademark). He has never actually prevailed in a trademark hearing."
Obscurity isn't a valid defense (Score:3, Informative)
If obscurity were the measure by which a trademark claim could be defended, there are many companies (many of them English!) that would be unable to protect their trademark.
Langdell's company makes games. A quick browsing of Wikipedia shows that "lol ura fagit" and that Edge Games is currently in development to bring their C64 games to the Wii.
So, being the trademark holder, Langdell actually needs to do what he can to protect it or risk losing it. This isn't being a troll, it's looking out for one's own best interest. His trademark is old, on the order of decades. Why would he relinquish it now to some upstart?
Re:Obscurity isn't a valid defense (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm not sure you're familiar with trademark law in the United States either. Your definition of "use" is unclear and its applicability in this case is questionable.
Let's see what the experts say: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm [harvard.edu]
So the trademark "Edge" in reference to games is, given the history of the company, inherently distinctive and thus fulfills the requirements for being a trademark.
Again, Langdell seems to have this base covered so far as anyone can prove.
Here we get to the crux of your post.
But if you take a look, Edge Games has a website, claims to be developing games, and is in no way abandoning its trademark to genericity. So while your claim that Edge Games hasn't released something for years may be true, it may not be relevant.
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Re:Obscurity isn't a valid defense (Score:4, Interesting)
Let's see what the experts say: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm [harvard.edu]
(1) the degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness
The distinctiveness is there, as explained in my original reply
(2) the duration and extent of use
Duration is there, and the intent to use has not been abandoned, as explained in my original reply
(3) the amount of advertising and publicity
Definitely arguable. They have a website and are the first hit on Google for "edge game" and "edge games".
(4) the geographic extent of the market
US and UK, according the the Edge Games website.
(5) the channels of trade
They are a game company and seem intent on releasing their existing portfolio to the Wii.
(6) the degree of recognition in trading areas
Edge Games was a decently sized name back in the C64 days. Nowadays they are a bit infamous for stiffing their developers, but is infamy different from fame?
(7) any use of similar marks by third parties
I suppose Gillette probably has a trademark on Edge for their shaving gel.
(8) whether the mark is registered
Seems like it.
Langdell's Edge trademark seems to fit the requirements of fame.
The naming of the game certainly seems to dilute the trademark. Can the publishers of Edge (the game) claim that the name is sufficiently generic enough?
At the most, though, Langdell would only be able to get injunctive relief as it is unlikely that the infringers willfully traded on the plaintiff's goodwill in using the mark.
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What?
I don't think anyone could've claimed so much as niche fame for this mark with a straight face. But with the current requirement in the law for national fame as a prerequisite for dilution -- "a mark is famous if it is widely recognized by the general consuming public of the United States as a designation of source of the goods or services of the mark's owner" -- there's absolutely no chance, IMO.
Re:Obscurity isn't a valid defense (Score:4, Informative)
Edge Games has been claiming to develop games for a long time, though, without producing anything. In fact almost all of Langdell's trademark registrations are officially dead, and indeed he only renewed his current UK trademarks when a database purge removed the already-dead marks from their website. And Edge has never sold products in many of the fields it has a trademark registration - they've never published a comic book or a magazine, for example.
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"Words that are common or ordinary receive less protection unless they have developed public recognition due to their long use in the market place. These type of marks are said to have acquired a secondary meaning."
That's from a Iowa State primer on trademark law, but articulates the concept well: you pick a common word, you'd better have serious mind-share. "Edge?" Nobody is going to think there is any "secondary meaning" here.
You can try to trademark "Earth," "Wisdom," or whatever, but it's a hell of a
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So then... What constitutes use of a trademark for purposes of abandonment?
Can I publish a website that says i'm developing a game, and if I registered the mark, it's perpetually protected as long as I keep my website up?
(Even if I don't actually develop or release any products using the mark)
Or is the standard higher?
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I don't know. But if someone is just going to claim that the trademark is up for grabs because it hasn't been "used" for a long time, it is really up to them to define what they expect the requirement for "use" are.
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Trade marks are for protecting trade names. To use the mark, that means you have sold or provided some product under that trade name in the field of business that your trademark pertains to.
If you haven't, then you didn't use the mark.
Intent to use is not the same as using.
So I would think just making a website and discussing a game you are planning to develop doesn't count as using the mark, it counts as reporting that you plan to use the mark in the future. At least as the field of video games is
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Again we come to the definition of "use" as the critical point.
1. It's use is discontinued with an intent not to resume its use
1a. Intent is inferred from circumstances
2. 3 consecutive years of non-use is evidence of abandonment
Edge Games clearly has point 1 covered. They at least g
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isn't the existence of the company prima facie evidence that the mark is in continual use?
Evidence of its continual use, but not evidence of its continual use in the field of use of electronic game products.
I see on their website, they have a cafepress store selling T-Shirts, mugs, and stickers with the Edge mark. So I suppose they may have the "clothing/apparel, mugs, and stickers" categories covered.
But have they actually produced or marketed or sold any games under the mark in the past 10 years?
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Their channel of trade is clearly the game industry, as that is what Edge Games ostensibly is targeting with its past and current game development. Whether they have actually released a game in the past 3 years (what seems to be the legally defined period) doesn't seem to be relevant because 1) they have continuously existed with the mark in the channel of trade they exist within, 2) they have vigorously defended against mark violators within that channel of trade, and 3) they do seem to have the intention
Re:Obscurity isn't a valid defense (Score:5, Informative)
He's a troll, because he's obviously exploiting it and only going after successful games that might infringe, and he always threatens to drag it to court unless he gets a big bag of money. In the case of the iPhone game he wanted them to change the name, AND half of the revenues accumulated up until the name change. Mobigames offered to change the name of their game to Edgy, whereupon Langdell as quickly as possible trademarked that name as well, and said that that name change also wasnt' acceptable.
Oh, and they're apparently developing a game called "Mirrors, a game by Edge".
It's those little details that make him a huge trademark troll.
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Um... There is nothing quick about filing for and acquiring a new trademark for a new trade name, and there's a review process involved, during which time, Mobigames could file dispute of the trademark registration, showing the registrant didn't have exclusive use.
I would expect Mobigames could rename their app much more quickly than he could file for and get another trademark.
Who'll be the first... (Score:3, Informative)
Title (Score:5, Informative)
I should point out that my original title for this article did not refer to him as a trademark troll. I think the term is overused and honestly should only apply to people like Leo Stoller who have no business registering a trademark in the first place, not folk like Langdell who (IMO) take a perfectly valid trademark registration and behave like total assholes in their exploitation of it.
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See the "related stories" Firehose link. The original, unedited slashdot submissions get posted there.
I don't get it. (Score:2)
Re:I don't get it. (Score:4, Informative)
He's got a doctorate in experimental child psychology - his thesis was on autism. It's just that he refers to himself as Dr. Langdell all the time.
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Re:I don't get it. (Score:4, Informative)
I thought the common use was to use the "Dr." prefix when used in an applicable context. Referring to yourself as "Dr." in the context of computer games when your doctorate is in experimental child psychology would imply authority where there is none.
No law or rule, just common use.
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No, that isn't common at all. The common use is to use "Dr." whenever you feel like it. It is perfectly acceptable and not misleading at all.
Anyone who assumes that someone has expert knowledge in any field whatsoever, just because they stick some letters in front of or after their name, is being stupid. There is no reason for people who have earned a doctorate to hide that fact just because there are idiots around.
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Well, you would be wrong. (Score:3, Informative)
Someone with a PhD is perfectly entitled to call themselves Dr. at all times, regardless of circumstances, and common sense doesn't enter into it. My father has one. He calls himself Dr. when buying plane tickets, filling out medical forms, introducing himself to others, and at any other time when someone asks him for his honorific.
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He is perfectly entitled to call himself "doctor", but honestly it just reeks of puffing oneself up when it's used to sign off on his legal and business documents and omitted elsewhere. In retrospect ["Dr. Langdell"] would've been better than ["Dr." Langdell].
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Those of us who are not pretentious twats find that behavior to be annoying. Hence, the twat quotes around 'Dr.'
LK
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Introducing yourself by title isn't courtesy. Throwing a temper tantrum when someone calls you Mr. instead of Dr. isn't courtesy. Dr. is an academic title, it's a professional title; outside of school or your place of employment you have no right to expect to be called Dr. Anyone who does, is a twat.
LK
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I guess you haven't read enough of the comments on this one. He's a twat.
LK
I want to make sure I get this right (Score:2)
So instead of "Dr. Langdell" he should be called "Twat Langdell"? Or are you saying he should be called "Dr. Twat"?
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I'm thinking Dr. Twat Langdell.
LK
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It is perfectly acceptable to use the title 'Dr' if you have been awarded a doctorate.
It's perfectly acceptable to do so in a professional or academic setting.
Indeed, in the UK you change your identity papers, passport etc to reflect the change in title.
I don't live in the UK. I am not bound by the standards of behavior there.
We should celebrate achievement by hard working people in academia and other fields and not be scared by idiots like yourself that use 'pretentious' to attack them.
I currently have thr
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Also, when I do get my Doctorate, outside of the professional and academic settings I'm not going to throw my Dr. title around like this twat.
I'll be perfectly happy with Lord.
LK
Another Asshole with a Lawyer (Score:2)
Next.
Apple didn't pull it (Score:3, Insightful)
According to TFA, the publisher pulled it after being threatened. Dumb move, IMO; if it comes to court, Langdell will claim that as an admission of liability.
As far as I can tell, Langdell's company never released a game identified as "Edge" or anything similar.
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You're right, I misunderstood this paragraph:
But not everyone shared in the celebration. On 7th April, 2009, five months after its release, Papazian received an email from Apple. It stated: "We have received notice from Edge Games, Inc. ('Edge') that Edge believes your application named Edge infringes Edge's rights. Accordingly, please take steps to review your application to ensure that it does not violate the rights of another party."
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Edge Tycoon, Play as Tim Langdell the patent troll (Score:4, Funny)
EdgeGamers.org (Score:2)
I'm pretty sure edgegamers.org, a very large gaming clan, had to pay him a fee to keep using the name.
From his website:
The movie "The Edge" staring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin, was released by 20th Century Fox under license from EDGE
Yeah, what a troll.
1. Trademark common english dictionary word
2. Sue anyone having anything to do with word
3. Profit
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Let's start referring to games as Edges. Pass the edge please (along with Kleenex, Frisbee, and legos). Use it generically and it is gone.
There's currently a push to get him out of IGDA (Score:4, Informative)
I'm a member in good standing in IGDA.
Recently (in the last month or so?), the following email went out to all registered IGDA members asking to sign a petition to have Tim Langdell removed from the IGDA's board:
The actions of IGDA board member Tim Langdell since his election in March 2009 have raised questions regarding his suitability as our elected representative. As you no doubt know, the IGDA's mission is: To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.
Tim Langdell's company, Edge Games, has trademarked the word "edge" and they leverage this trademark against any media that contains this word--threatening legal action should their target not enter into a licensing arrangement with the studio. Such targets have included David Mamet's film The Edge, Marvel's comic book Edge, EA's Mirror's Edge, and Namco's Soul Edge, which was released as Soul Blade and later, Soulcalibur in the west as a direct result of Edge Games' actions. Most recently their actions have resulted in the removal of the indie game hit, Edge, from the iPhone app store.
Meanwhile, Edge Games has not been associated with the direct production of an original video game in the last fifteen years.
After his election to the IGDA board, in a lawsuit against Cybernet regarding Edge of Extinction, Tim Langdell presented himself to the court like this: "Dr. Tim Langdell is considered to be a pioneer in the field of computer gaming and is widely publicized on the Internet and has been engaged as a legal expert in the field of computer gamin." He adds "He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Game Developers Association, which is the largest game association worldwide".
Many of us believe that this is a gross misrepresentation and feel that Tim Langdell is able to use his position on the board of the IGDA to work directly against the mission of the organization. As IGDA members with voting rights, it is our responsibility to elect a board that we can trust to represent us. But no election system is perfect and sometimes corrections need to be made.
We are asking that you take some time to consider this issue, do a little research online, make up your mind how you feel about it, and take action.
Under the IGDA bylaws, we are able to call for a special meeting of the membership to vote on the removal of Tim Langdell from the board of directors. In order to do this, we need 10% of the membership to request the board call the special meeting. We are hosting a petition to this effect here: (removed link, as the special meeting is going forward)
Thank you for your consideration,
Concerned Members of the IGDA
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Tim Langdell & the IGDA on Wednesday August 05, @03:31PM KPexEA
Submitted by KPexEA on Wednesday August 05, @03:31PM
What next? (Score:2)
trademark analog of copy-left? (Score:2)
Speaking of trademarks... does anyone know of a trademark analog of "copyleft"? What if you want to release a mark for free use, but want to avoid someone else claiming it as a trademark later?
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I doubt there could be such a thing since the point of a trademark is significantly different from that of copyright.
Trademarks are meant (not that they always are) to simply be an 'identity'. In other words, you trademark something in order to prevent others from appearing to be you by using that mark.
You trademark the word "Edge" because you presumably do business in some form or another as "Edge". Either you sell "Edge" or you are "Edge" and are selling something, or you have a character "Edge" as an adv
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You have a point, and yet, there are things that can't be trademarked, e.g. things that are "generic". So a real anti-trademark might be a way of saying "I wa
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The way you make something generic is by convincing everyone to use it in a generic sense. Even then though, Apple is a trademark yet an apple is about as generic as you can get.
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And what kind of evidence would it take to convince a judge that this has happened?
I think that's "arbitrary/fanciful", not generic... and I think you'll find that Apple computer didn't make it impossible for you to sell apples, what they did is get a lock on the association between apples and computers. They could not, for ex
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About the same amount that it would take to convince someone that your copyright infringement was protected as fair use, an arbritrary and undetermined amount that would only be defined at the moment the case was being decided.