Watch Dogs Trademark 'Abandoned', Ubisoft Claims Fraud

Dohc-WP

Dohc-WP

Ron Burgundy
Ubisoft briefly appeared to have abandoned its trademark for Watch Dogs, but the publisher reports today that the request was fraudulent and was not issued with the company's knowledge.

Earlier this afternoon, Polygon reported on the initial filing, but has since updated its original story with details provided by Ubisoft in a new filing submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

"On February 1, 2014, Ubisoft Entertainment received an email from [email protected] notifying Ubisoft Entertainment that a Request for Express Abandonment had been filed in connection with Application Serial No. 85642398. The Request for Express Abandonment purports to be signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Ubisoft Entertainment, Yves Guillemot.

"Mr. Guillemot, however, did not sign the Request for Express Abandonment, nor did Ubisoft Entertainment file the Request for Express Abandonment. The Request for Express Abandonment is fraudulent and was not filed by Ubisoft Entertainment or its representative."

Ubisoft told IGN, “We are working directly with the USPTO on reinstating the trademark for Watch Dogs and it will be active again in the coming days. The matter has no impact on the Watch Dogs' development."

Watch Dogs is in development for consoles and PC, with release currently scheduled for the second quarter of 2014 following a delay near the end of 2013.

Source: IGN
 
Some further info:

Request for "express abandonment" of trademark filed by a prankster.

It appears the request for "express abandonment" of the Watch Dogs trademark came from a prankster and not Ubisoft, according to a new document filed today with the USPTO. This person even forged Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot's signature, according to the document.

"On February 1, 2014, Ubisoft Entertainment received an email from [email protected] notifying Ubisoft Entertainment that a Request for Express Abandonment had been filed in connection with Application Serial No. 85642398. The Request for Express Abandonment purports to be signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Ubisoft Entertainment, Yves Guillemot. Mr. Guillemot, however, did not sign the Request for Express Abandonment, nor did Ubisoft Entertainment file the Request for Express Abandonment," Ubisoft said. "The Request for Express Abandonment is fraudulent and was not filed by Ubisoft Entertainment or its representative."
Click to expand...

Some people have way too much time on their hands. What was he hoping to gain?
 
Filing a request for abandonment is one thing but forging the CEO's signature? Perhaps a rival games company who is jealous of Ubisoft? :D
 
I hope they find this guy and arrest him for fraud, guys that do this for fun really need to be given the shaft back.
 
Well hopefully Ubisoft can get this sorted before the title has to launch because all the branding and packaging and advertising stuff that's been printed will be a waste and lets hope this doesn't push the game back again even further
 
AlienTaker said:
Well hopefully Ubisoft can get this sorted before the title has to launch because all the branding and packaging and advertising stuff that's been printed will be a waste and lets hope this doesn't push the game back again even further
Click to expand...
They're already getting the abandonment cancelled, no way would they just change the name of their game.
 
My big concern on this is another push back on the launch date i'm eagerly awaiting this game and i ordered 2 of the 3 collectors editions so when i get them i'll have a hard copy up for grabs(or sale depending what both will cost me)
 
AlienTaker said:
My big concern on this is another push back on the launch date i'm eagerly awaiting this game and i ordered 2 of the 3 collectors editions so when i get them i'll have a hard copy up for grabs(or sale depending what both will cost me)
Click to expand...

If this is legitimately someone operating outside of Ubisoft, then I can't see how this would push the launch date back. However, if this is an elaborate scheme to delay the launch by Ubisoft, then they could blame this event for part of the delays.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top