The rebranding of mobile games company Digital Bridges, now known as I-play, has run into a spot of bother. Budget console games publisher PlayIt has announced that it is talking to lawyers about a possible infringement of its identity. As PlayIt CEO, Mark Cale, explains in a terse press release:
"We are absolutely shocked to see Digital Bridges' rebranding based around the word "Play", a red ball on which is printed the "label" name and an animated sequence involving the red ball in motion to a similar jingle. Indeed, the home page of their website is splashed the slogan "You name it, I play it" – incorporating our very name. We find it very hard to understand how another games company in this business could be unfamiliar with our distinctive branding. Our lawyers, Clintons, have accordingly been instructed and we intend to take every step available to us at law to fully protect our name, brand and logo. If this means an application for an immediate injunction to restrain further use by Digital Bridges of their new logo, then so be it."
I approached I-play CEO Brian Greasley for a response and he provided the following:
"Whilst we believe it is inappropriate to comment about legal matters in this forum, we must make clear that we have been advised by our lawyers that we are not in any way infringing the rights of 'Play-it' and that we will be vigorously defending any claim that is brought."
Looks like a fight might be on, then.
It's an interesting one. The logos (here and here) do share the word Play and the red ball motif, but is that enough to constitute an infringement? Decide for yourself after reading this handy feature...
