Most people are familiar with the YouTube community of “Let’s Play” videos, where gamers will play a game, record commentary over it, and post it online for entertainment or research purposes.
People have been able to make careers out of this type of content material (people like Pewdiepie, Game Grumps, Markiplier, and many others) and it is a pretty ubiquitous time period, which makes it all of the extra bizarre that Sony is seemingly making an attempt to trademark it.
The trademark filing was found by customers on NeoGaf earlier this week, and it describes a service specializing in the “electronic transmission and streaming of video games via global and local computer networks.” It would seem that Sony is trying to save the term “Let’s Play” for certain PS4 services. This could be problematic for apparent reasons, it could cause huge issues for YouTubers, and it seems Sony might be trying to get to the phrase to prevent Microsoft or Nintendo from either using or securing the term themselves. Add to the fact that this was filed in October right under our noses, with no announcement to hint that it was happening, makes this seen especially shady.
It’s a mystery why they’ve made and attempt to trademark this term, since they tried it once before and failed, The US Patent and Trademark Department said the trademark was too similar to a trademark of “LP Let’z Play.” The odds are against them for the trademark to go through again because of the vague wording they use. The Patent Department issued a Non-Final Action meaning if they don’t fix various mistakes that the trademark will be refused. But if it does go through, this could spell trouble for the YouTube community who makes a living off these types of videos.
What do you think of this move by Sony? Let me know in the comments!
