Have you, as Summoner, been able to guide your Champion to destroy a Nexus or two? If you are one of the estimated 100 million active League of Legends players world with League of Legends, it is likely that you fully understand how elusive victory can be in the online battle arena. Those unfamiliar with the popular streaming game might not understand its terminology, but will regardless understand the stakes in intellectual property litigation brought by League of Legends developer Riot Games.
The Los Angeles company has filed a claim against a far less well-known esports developer called Riot Squad.
In its lawsuit, California’s Riot Games claims that Chicago’s Riot Squad “hopes and intends that by its use of the Riot brand name, consumers will mistakenly believe that its esports organization is in some manner associated with, sponsored or endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with Riot and its hugely popular products and services.”
It should be noted that Riot Games has secured trademark protections for “Riot” and “Riot Games” when the terms are used in connection with esports and video games, the firm said.
Riot Game has asked the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California’s Western Division to stop Riot Squad from using its trademarked “Riot” terms, award damages and require the fledgling firm to “deliver up for destruction” all products and materials using the terms.
A news report on the dispute noted that Riot Squad does not own a League of Legends team. Rioters around the world are getting ready for the upcoming 10th anniversary of League of Legends with a day of streamed activities.
Individuals and companies that need to protect their intellectual property can enforce their IP rights with the help of an attorney experienced in protecting client interests in intellectual property disputes.
