Sad giant viking is sad.
Not content with trying to corner the word "Candy", King.com, the makers of Candy Crush Saga, also want to own the word "Saga". So they've have taken legal action against strategy game The Banner Saga.
On December 27, 2013, King.com filed a "Notice of Opposition" with the US Patent and Trademark Office. It says that because King has 13 trademarks with the word "saga" in them, Stoic's colourful strategy game isn't allowed to use the word.
As part of the filing, King allege the following. And I promise you, this is a real document, not a joke.
The "Applicant" is Stoic, who were applying for a trademark on The Banner Saga. A turn-based strategy game with a rich RPG element and nordic inspiration. The "Opposer" is King.com. Who make some puzzle games with candy in them.
"Deceptively similar"? What planet are these people from?
This is what The Banner Saga looks like.
And this is what Candy Crush Saga looks like.
King.com aren't seeking money. They "just" want Stoic's application for a trademark on The Banner Saga to be refused (which would force the developers to change the game's name).
We contacted Stoic, but they're unable to comment about legal matters. We also contacted King.com, and will update if we hear back. [Update, Jan. 22]: King replied through a spokesperson that "King has not and is not trying to stop Banner Saga from using its name," but that it must oppose the trademark application to preserve its own position under trademark law." King has applied for a video games trademark on "saga." More here.
I've seen some stupid legal actions in my time here, but this one takes the stupid cake.