Early last year, Sony filed a mark for PS Cloud. Specifically, Sony Computer Entertainment did, the folks responsible for the PlayStation part of the business.

The recent Cloudsurf, however, applies to more than just video games, also applying for the mark against cell phones, digital cameras, televisions and more. Perhaps this is just a more marketable name for that broader PlayStation Network that Sony has been hinting at for some time. It's likely not portending the availability of echochrome levels anywhere and everywhere.

Sony also registered trademarks for video game related things under the name voyAgent, but we'll leave the speculation on that one up to you.

Cloudsurf [USPTO]

The application was filed in February, but only published this month. While it's heavy on fluff, the gist of the patent is that Google would like to be able to alter existing YouTube videos in order to create "interactive games" within the service.

There are many possibilities as to what this would leave us with; we could get custom vids created with games in mind, we could get "choose your own adventure" deals, we could get something...else that I just can't wrap my head around at this moment.

Google Might Get Into Hosted Gaming Via YouTube [bnet, via Slashdot]

The Warsaw-based developer filed that trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week, specifically for "Computer software for use with personal computers, for use with home video game consoles for use with televisions, and for use with arcade-based video game consoles for use with televisions." That's long for "video games."

It also filed a Bulletstorm trademark for "Printed materials; user manuals; hint books," so expect a manual to go along with it.

While not yet officially announced, Bulletstorm is likely that new "multi-platform game project" from Epic Games that Electronic Arts has agreed to publish, back when things were a little rosier for EA, amid a flurry of EA Partners branded publishing announcements.

Epic Games announced its majority stake investment in People Can Fly back in 2007, following the Polish developer's work on Gears of War for the PC. Mark Rein, vice president of Epic, said at the time the company was "totally blown away" by People Can Fly's prototypes. And Mark Rein is certainly not known for hyperbole!

Bulletstorm [USPTO - Image Credit]

Microsoft filed a patent in 2008 for a similar system for the Xbox 360, only instead of consulting the game itself for help, it would use Xbox Live to connect to a database and ask other users for tips.

An in-game GameFAQS, then, if you will.

The patent (remember, it's just a patent, meaning it's a possibility, not a definite) says this system would allow for not just the posting of text guides by tip authors, but also screenshots and videos as well, with any media able to be scrawled on with a digital pen.

Interesting, but then it begs the question; if these tips are available over a paid service, will prominent authors be reimbursed for their efforts?

Microsoft's Answer To Nintendo's Super Guide [Siliconera]

The application's just been filed; it hasn't been assigned to an examiner yet. Standard trademark filing, covering "Drum Hero" for use in all video games.

Now, just because they filed a trademark doesn't mean this is a project in development. They could just be moving to protect the "Hero" franchise, pairing that word and its synonyms with all sorts of instruments just to be on the safe side. So be on the lookout for Sousaphone Hero, Gutbucket Paladin, and Banjo Myrmidon.

Activision ‘Drumming' Up New Hero Game [PlayStation Lifestyle via Hot Blooded Gaming, thanks Troy A.]

Take this message from Infinity Ward "creative strategist" Robert Bowling, posted to his well-followed Twitter account earlier today: "First round of meetings in Paris wrapped. Grabbing lunch with Xavier Gens, director of the Hitman film while in town. Talking game films." Sure, Bowling and Gens may merely be enjoying a social call. Or maybe they're talking about turning the narrative of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series into a feature film.

Parent company Activision just recently filed for new trademarks related to the Call of Duty franchise—as spotted by Trademork—protecting the mark against "Pre-recorded movies featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, music, theatrical performances and/or animation." Honestly, not making Call of Duty into a film, direct to DVD animated feature, or CGI something would be foolishly leaving money on the table.

And it may be reflective of a larger trend at Activision, who also recently filed similar trademarks for Guitar Hero and Singularity. The latter we can understand, as it's story driven sci-fi fodder. But Guitar Hero? Certainly no one would think that was an idea worth doing.

Oh, wait.

FourZeroTwo [Twitter]

The filing covers "computer game and video game software," for "operating a real-time game for others over global and local area computer networks." Complete and total conjecture here, but could it be something along the lines of 1 vs. 100, for the PSN?

TV Superstars [USPTO via Siliconera]

Noted USPTO watcher Superannuation first caught the filing, listed last Friday.

Doesn't mean they're gonna make a fangbanger video game, they might just be moving in to protect something. But hell, if Dexter can get a game on the iPhone, why not?

It's a barebones filing. Nothing else revealed about plans, no devs mentioned, no other titles.

HBO Files True Blood Trademark [Superannuation via Joystiq]

Siliconera noticed the filing and has few details other than the words involved. They do, however, note that "The Last Story" is registered in Japan, albeit with English words. "Nintendo usually files names for upcoming games in Japanese… unless the name is tied to an international release. For instance, Nintendo registered the rights for Glory of Hercules in English a few months before they made an official announcement."

Whatever this game is, 'The Last Story" means a total blank to me. Could be an adventure title for the core. Could be a licensed tie-in for the kids. What do you think Nintendo's "Last Story" should be?

What is Nintendo's 'Last Story?' [Siliconera via Go Nintendo]

The Prey trademark was assigned to ZeniMax Media in July by The Radar Group, which acquired it from Apogee the previous month. Superannuation discovered the trademark change-of-hands along with two new trademark applications submitted by ZeniMax regarding the Prey property, specifically for:

Entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program in the field of science fiction; Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line interactive computer games and providing information relating to electronic computer games via the internet

as well as:

Computer and video game user instruction manuals; magazines, books, and pamphlets concerning video games; computer and video game strategy guide books and magazines; graphic novels, novels, and comic books, all in the fields of video games and science fiction

Now what would ZeniMax want with a solid if a bit under-performing first-person shooter IP?

Trademark Assignment [Superannuation via Actiontrip]

Silicon Xtal Corporation, an integrated circuit and passive component manufacturer, has filed for the SexBox trademark for a "Video Gaming System Console comprised of computer hardware with unique user controls which plays interactive Adult Only rated (AO) video game software titles." Considering there's not much in the way of AO rated titles, we're thankful for its other proposed capabilities.

According to the trademark filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, dug up by Siliconera, the SexBox would have "proprietary software and firmware that provides access to associated AO content and entertainment in all other digital forms."

By that, they mean "audio, video, HDTV, DVD, online, gaming, social networking, webcams, video on demand, downloading, movie rentals, purchases, stores, advertising, interactive adult communities, massive multiplayer online games and emerging markets in one or any combination of these and more as technology evolves." Basically every digital avenue through which one can enjoy porn.

That "console" may also let players enjoy ultra-violent fare like Manhunt 2, but I'm guessing that's not really the point.

Despite the headline, we'll be somewhat surprised if a SexBox is actually ever released, especially in any form resembling a "console" and without a lawsuit from Microsoft. But we're checking in with the folks at SXC to see if we can get official confirmation and to see if they have any loaners.

SexBox [USPTO via Siliconera]

It's essentially a soft (rubber? foam?) football with holes in it, that you stick the Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk into. For football games. Then you slide your hand under the ball's handle and...make throwing actions. Or...hand-off actions. Or...maybe snapping the ball (wouldn't a rugby ball have at least been more versatile?).

And that's it! Now it's time to look at the silly pictures, say something snide about Nintendo then try and imagine the guy at the office who thought this was not only a good idea, but so good that it had to be patented.

Nintendo Developing A Squishy Football Controller [Siliconera]

superannuation picked up four trademarks in all, for the following titles: Populous, Theme Park, Road Rash & Wing Commander.

Populous and Theme Park are interesting, since it was only yesterday EA were saying how keen they were to take a look at some of Bullfrog's classic PC titles. And there have been plenty of rumours surrounding the return of Road Rash.

That's all well and good. I don't really care. Not when there's Wing Commander being mentioned. Sure, it's only a trademark (hardly concrete confirmation that a new game is even in the planning stages), and sure, the last Wing Commander game was a crime against humanity, but none of that matters. My love for the series is so strong it can withstand anything. Movies included.

I like the implications of this [superannuation]

Sega's trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office doesn't tell us much, other than Let's Party is being protected against "video game software; computer game programs" and "providing on-line games; providing information on on-line games." Yes, this is a video game and it may have some online component.

Since Let's Catch was a WiiWare title, that "on-line games" mention may simply refer to its distribution method.

The only thing that leads us to believe this isn't an entry in the already existing "Let's" series is the logo. It's out of line with the established design, for whatever that's worth.

To the best of our knowledge, Prope—a small studio headed by former Sonic Team lead Yuji Naka—hasn't gone on record about its follow up to Let's Tap. If this is it, Sega and Prope look to have found a groove.

Let's Party [USPTO]

The trademark specifically protects P.S. Thanks—presumably short for PlayStation Thanks—against "entertainment services" for an "incentive rewards program geared toward quantifying, identifying and motivating top consumer base with the goal of promotion and sale of video game hardware and software." That could mean a replacement for the phased out PlayStation Underground program or something as potentially rewarding on par with Nintendo's Club Nintendo.

Since the trademark points out a focus on the "top consumer base," a P.S. Thanks program may go after the most serious PlayStation fan, the type willing to pursue Platinum Trophies and take up arms in the Sony Defense Force, possibly. We just hope it means some sort of yearly novelty hat giveaway.

P.S. THANKS [USPTO]

That's typically a good sign that Square Enix will use Gyromancer for a computer game or video game. We'd go far enough to call it "likely." Will it be an all-new franchise? Maybe. Square Enix is often a little more loose with its WiiWare and iPhone app releases when it comes to trademarks, so don't be surprised if this string shows up on the digital distribution platform of your preference.

Plan instead to be a little more surprised if the game has the massive production values of a Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest title.

Our best guess is that Gyromancer will be a game about R.O.B. finding love at a Greek fast food restaurant, with RPG elements. Hey, we don't have a lot to go on.

Gyromancer [USPTO]

Sony Computer Entertainment filed for the trademark "adhocParty" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week, the name of the service already beta testing in Japan. adhocParty allows supported PSP games that feature ad hoc wireless gaming—meaning between PSPs—to use the PlayStation 3's built in wi-fi capabilities as a multiplayer server.

adhocParty has been in beta testing since it launched in Japan last November, supporting hundreds of PSP games, but Sony Computer Entertainment America hasn't announced support for the service yet. When we spoke to Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi at E3, SCEA reps said a localized version was "in the works," but offered no concrete details.

Given Sony's increased push on the PSP, with the PSPgo launching in a few months, the introduction of adhocParty stateside would make sense. Especially with marquee PSP titles like Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy Dissidia supporting the software.

adhocParty [USPTO]

Filed on July 8th with an update status of today, Eidos has filed registrations for the name with and without the colon, which leads us to believe that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days could likely be the name of the next game in the series. Or they could be making a Kane & Lynch breakfast cereal. Leaning towards the video game thing though.

Eidos has also filed a trademark registration for Fragile Alliance, which was the name of their innovative multiplayer mode in the original game. Why they're only just trademarking it now is anyone's guess, but it seems to point towards a return of the multiplayer mode in the next game.

Superannuation Needs Article Titles [Superannuation]

Sony Computer Entertainment America recently filed a trademark for echoshift, which might be the new name for echochrono, not a brand new game. After all, Sony did issue the caveat that echochrono was a "working title."

The puzzle game, which keeps things more 2D (and more 4D), looks to borrow from time manipulation games like Braid and Cursor*10—clearly good places to borrow from. It's slated to hit the PlayStation Network and PSP in Fall or Winter of this year. We'd expect that Sony will have news on any potential name changes soon, but reps did not respond to requests for clarification.

Instead of clarification, here's a trailer.

ECHOSHIFT [USPTO]

Blizzard should just give up on quietly filing trademark applications. The moment one hits, somebody has it linked, print-screened, and posted on the internet, so a company as wise as Blizz has to have a damn good reason to expose their secrets like that. Perhaps next month's BlizzCon? Either way, the company is now the proud owner of three trademarks for the word "Cataclysm". Any guesses?

The first listing, which refers to delivering computer games via an online network, has some speculating hat Cataclysm is simply the true name of Battle.Net 2.0, to be revealed at a later date.

Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; providing computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network; and providing on-line information in the field of computer gaming entertainment

The next listing gets a bit more game-specific, but still could support the Battle.Net 2.0 theory.

Computer game software and related instruction manuals and guides sold together as a unit; downloadable computer game software; interactive multimedia computer game program; mousepads

The third and final filing for Cataclysm however points in a different direction, indicating a potential marketing blitz for whatever it winds up being that exceeds anything we'd expect from a simple Battle.Net re-branding.

Comic books, computer game strategy guides, trading cards, coloring books, adhesive stickers, rub-on transfers, notebooks, stationery-type portfolios, posters, greeting cards, calendars, instructional leaflets in the field of computer games, computer game instruction manuals, catalogs in the field of computer games, advertisement boards of paper or cardboard, photographs, art prints

So where do we stand? Well, Blizzard does have a couple of original intellectual properties they've been hiring help for, so Cataclysm could certainly be one of those...or perhaps something is going to happen to that swirling Sunwell maelstrom in the middle of World of Warcraft's Azeroth, causing new lands to rise and the existing ones to change in the face of some great disaster, leading to the next expansion for that game? Come on kids, join in! Wild speculation isn't fun unless we're all doing it.

Blizzard Entertainment Trademarks Cataclysm [BlizzPlanet]