The company that owns Naughty Dog, Sony Interactive Entertainment, has objected to a trademark application by Naughty Cat Co. Limited for the name Naughty Cat with the USPTO. This Hong Kong-based group has two gambling apps on the App Store that give players real money prizes, which are definitely superheroes when compared to Naughty Dog’s story-driven games. The Sony Group has claimed in a new court document that the “Naughty Cat” name may confuse gamers and consumers, despite the differences.
Why Sony Is Concerned
According to Sony’s lawyers, Naughty Cat is too similar to the brand of Naughty Dog. As per their application, “Naughty” is the predominant element in both parties’ marks and the secondary elements “Dog” and “Cat” are also similar as they both refer to common household pets. According to Sony, the similarity could deceive gamers into believing that Naughty Cat’s products are affiliated with or endorsed by Naughty Dog or Sony Interactive Entertainment. They claim such confusion could hurt their brand as well as the public.
The claim says Naughty Dog’s trademark has been in use for several years, long before Naught Cat’s application, which claims a first use date of 25 December 2023. If the Naught Cat trademark is allowed to proceed, the filing claims that consumers will likely be misled into thinking these gambling apps are part of Sony’s gaming legacy.
The Stakes of the Dispute
Sony states that players may confuse the game with one from its PlayStation family, harming its brand. The company claims that the Naughty Cat mark may mislead consumers into thinking there is some connection or sponsorship that does not really exist which will diminish trust in this brand. Sony is very keen to protect its rights, especially because this studio in question belongs to one of their successful teams Naughty Dog.
What Happens Next?
The USPTO has set a timeline to address the dispute. Naughty Cat Co., Limited has until July 12 to respond to Sony’s opposition. If the parties do not, the USPTO may treat it as abandoned and grant a quick win to Sony. If the company responds, it could head to trial in 2026, which prolongs the tussle.
Naughty Dog’s Focus Remains on Games
The Naughty Dog developers most likely won’t be distracted while this trademark dispute plays out. The studio is currently developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and another secret project, which has not been announced yet. Gamers speculate a lot, with some jokingly thinking it could involve a cat, but that seems unlikely since we are used to getting darker and more grounded narratives from them.
A Curious Case for Gamers
The trademark dispute may not seem like a big deal, but it shows how tenacious gaming companies are with their brands growing huge in this sector. If you like Naughty Dog, this charming little story shows just how powerful Naughty Dog still is. We don’t know if “Naughty Cat” will survive Sony’s challenge, but for the time being, it is a dog/cat story about clarity in branding.