Radio-controll model maker Traxxas has filed a trademark claim against Bungie over the “Traxus” trademark tied to the upcoming game Marathon.
Bungie, the developer behind the upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, is facing a legal dispute over its use of the “Traxus” trademark. This trademark, along with three others—UESC, Sekiguchi Genetics, and Cyberacme—were filed by Bungie in 2023, when the developer officially announced the game.
The opposition comes from Traxxas, a well-known manufacturer of radio-controlled (RC) vehicles, which claims that Bungie’s “Traxus” mark is too similar to their long-standing “Traxxas” brand.
The claim, filed on October 9, 2024, argues that the similarity between the two names is likely to cause confusion, especially as both companies operate in technology-related spaces.
Traxxas v. Bungie: Trademark Opposition
According to the notice of opposition filed with the with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Traxxas filed a number of trademarks since 2005 and holds multiple products under the same name, ranging from RC vehicles and their parts to accessories like battery chargers, phone grips, and even apparel.
“Applicant [Bungie] seeks to register the TRAXUS Mark for Applicant’s Goods in International Classes 009 and 025 as evidenced by the publication of the Application in the Official Gazette on June 11, 2024,” the notice states.
“Opposer [Traxxas] has expended, and continues to expend, substantial efforts and sums
advertising and promoting Opposer’s goods offered in connection with its TRAXXAS mark.
“Opposer has acquired and now enjoys substantial goodwill and a valuable reputation under its
TRAXXAS mark. Opposer’s TRAXXAS mark has become well known within the trade and
among the relevant consuming public.”
Traxxas argues that Bungie’s “Traxus” trademark overlaps with its trademark in classes 009 and 025, which are “downloadable interactive computer game software” and “apparel relating to video games or featuring video game characters” respectively.
The Game Post has reached out to Bungie and Traxxas for a comment.
In other news, Bungie recently received a copyright lawsuit from an author who claims the developer stole some of his work when creating the storyline of Destiny 2’s original “Red War” story campaign.
