Video game makers and fans alike are upset over the trademark of the term"Cyberpunk" by CD Projekt Red. The trademark was filed last year to Europe and U.S. as well.
Fans have expected the release of "Cyberpunk 2077" game for quite some time. However, prior to releasing the game, CD Projekt Red had filed a trademark in Europe for the term "cyberpunk" in late 2016. The video game community found out the Polish company's action last week, Digital Trends reported. Subsequently, fans and video game makers were outraged with the company's action.
Moreover, the European Union is reported to have approved the trademark. CD PRojekt Red has also owned the similar trademark in the U.S. since 2012. Therefore, the company now legally the owner of term "Cyberpunk" in both Europe and the United States. Fans and video game makers questioned the maker of "Cyberpunk 2077" regarding its motive to file the trademark. They are vexed with the trademark ownership of the term "cyberpunk," which disallow anybody to use the term freely without fear of being sued.
Earlier this week, CD Projekt Red responded to the criticism for the "Cyberpunk 2077" and the term "cyberpunk." The company promised that it would not aggressively pursue the implementation of copyright according to report from Game Spot. The company insisted that the trademark is acquired simply to protect its work. CD Projekt Red stated in its statement, "We want to protect our hard work and we don't plan on using the trademark offensively. It's a self-defence measure only."
CD Projekt Red argued that "Cyberpunk 2077" is the massive project and the company has invested a huge amount of resources and efforts into the game. Therefore, the company wanted to ensure to be the sole and only entity who can use the term "cyberpunk" only. Unfortunately, that does not guarantee the company for not implementing its trademark ownership aggressively.
Meanwhile the game "Cyberpunk 2077" is in the final phase of development and the company expected the game to become as successful as its previous game "Witchcraft." Watch the teaser trailer of the game from CD Projekt Red below:
