‘Shenmue’ trademark lost by Sega following failure to use the term
Following sustained period of inactivity, Sega seems to have lost its ‘Shenmue’ trademark rights. The page of Shenmue USPTO reads, “Registration cancelled because registrant did not file an acceptable declaration under Section 8. To view all documents in this file, click on the Trademark Document Retrieval link at the top of this page.”
DualShockers adds that Section 8 of the Trademark Act deals with “continued use” and “excusable nonuse” of registered marks, giving trademark holders a short time period to prove that they are either using the mark or should give a solid reason for not using it. The above reasons should have been provided to the USPTO between the fifth and sixth years of the trademark’s life, and again during the ninth and tenth, but it seems that this has not been done the second time by Sega for ‘Shenmue’ trademark.
This above action from USPTO could mean that Sega have not provided enough evidence to establish that they are still using the Shenmue trademark to warrant ownership, either that or it is summing up the series entirely. Sega have been contacted for comments, but nothing have been heard from their side.
Trademark Registration in Japan
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