A series of trademark disputes filed by Take-Two emerged earlier this week. The list included a dispute with It Takes Two developer Hazelight, which still hopes to resolve the situation.
As we reported on December 1, Hazelight had to abandon its application for the It Takes Two trademark. The reason was a claim filed by Take-Two soon after the game’s launch, so the studio would withdraw the rights for the name’s ownership.
On December 3, a Hazelight spokesperson told Eurogamer that while the team “cannot comment on the ongoing dispute,” it is “hopeful it will be resolved.”
“The trademark conflict means that Hazelight can’t protect the name, not that they will be forced to change it,” business analyst Mike Futter explained. “They could change it if they want to protect the name, but honestly, it’s probably not worth it to them to do that.”
Take-Two has filed dozens of trademark claims against companies using words like “social club,” “mafia,” “rockstar,” and “bully.” As noted by Eurogamer, the company had disputes with small businesses, including axe-throwing company Rockstar Axe Throwing and Chinese clothing brand Starrocks.