Posted Mon Jan 11, 2016 at 10:26 AM PST by Sophia Edwards
Baffling trademark attempt likely not happening.
Sony Computer Entertainment America recently tried to trademark the term "let's play", defining it as "Electronic transmission and streaming of video games via global and local computer networks; streaming of audio, visual, and audiovisual material via global and local computer networks". This was likely done in an attempt to prevent competitors and likely even YouTubers from using the term, despite the fact that it has been widely used for years now.
However, it has since come to light that Sony's application has been refused by the US Patent and Trademark Office due to a likelihood of confusion with the mark "LP Let'z Play", sending the company a non-final action on December 29th. This gives Sony 6 months to reply before a final refusal is issued.
It's not entirely clear why Sony wanted to trademark this, but given how widely used it is on YouTube, it's likely for the best that the chances of it going through seem slim.
Source: USPTO
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