Youtubers the world over will be merrily spinning in their swivel chairs as Sony's attempt to trademark the phrase "Let's Play" has been turned down by The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), but they may fall off when they find out why. The fairly general term is widely used on Youtube for video game playthroughs, but the reason the trademark was refused is down to similarity with one held since 2013; "Let'z Play Of America." The small company barely register in an online search, but are known for arranging gaming events both online and offline. The reason behind the refusal and the fact that the request by Sony was rejected by a "Non-final action" may worry the many Youtube users posting "Let's Play" videos who had wished that the claim would be refused outright for being too generic. Sony described the service under "Let's Play" as "Electronic transmission and streaming of video games via global and local computer networks" - something sounding a little too similar to the community Youtube videos, and further begs the question that if Sony do get a favourable ruling, then how and to what extent, will they attempt to uphold it? The Japanese entertainment giants now have six months to respond to USPTO, but it remains to be seen whether they will take further action.
I work at a college as a janitor even though I feel like I'm smarter than most of the people who go there. Sometimes I see an equation written on a blackboard like half an equation and I just figure it out.
Really though I'm a Journalism graduate so I like to write words and stuff. Getting back into it thanks to WhatCulture! Oh and my best friend is Ben Affleck...
