Is it okay to use "with friends" in game name

Discussion in 'Public Game Developers Forum' started by J.O.Y, Apr 16, 2013.

  1. J.O.Y

    J.O.Y Well-Known Member

    Oct 9, 2011
    128
    8
    18
    Male
    Head of Product at Imba Games
    Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
    Hello,

    I plan to name my game "Blocks with friends" but I wonder whether I can use "with friends" phrase.
    Could any one help me to answer?

    Thanks,
    Giang Anh
     
  2. SimianSquared

    SimianSquared Well-Known Member

    Dec 14, 2011
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    Game Developer
    England
    No.

    Zynga holds the trademark on the words "With Friends" in the software category.
     
  3. Rainier

    Rainier Well-Known Member

    Apr 16, 2012
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    Zynga will have a lot of people to sue, because there are numerous apps on the App Store with the "with friends" tag added to them to capture the overflow of searches for the term. Have a look, and you'll find a lot.
     
  4. SimianSquared

    SimianSquared Well-Known Member

    Dec 14, 2011
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    Game Developer
    England
    They're being busy at that right now but fargo is having a laugh - imho it's better to avoid the entire fiasco. A quick google reveals all.
     
  5. Rainier

    Rainier Well-Known Member

    Apr 16, 2012
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    I'd prefer to steer clear of any potential legal headaches as well. The risk reward payoff isn't good.
     
  6. ThreeCubes

    ThreeCubes Well-Known Member

    Oct 13, 2012
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    Well actually I don't think they would have a strong case and you can pretty much trade mark anything that has a different word in front of the with friends. Zinga don't have rights to every sentence ending with friends. Anyway they might try and scare you so just use

    Blocks with Buddies


    It's sounds much better anyway
     
  7. MidianGTX

    MidianGTX Well-Known Member

    Jun 16, 2009
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    The exact same name sprung to my mind before I even got down to this post, so it must be a good one ;)
     
  8. EvilArev

    EvilArev Well-Known Member

    Mar 24, 2011
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    Following one of the episodes of The Big Bang Theory: Blocks With Acquaintances.


    Yeah, that would be a terrible title to search for in the AppStore.
     
  9. SimianSquared

    SimianSquared Well-Known Member

    Dec 14, 2011
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    Game Developer
    England
    Cockblocks without friends?
     
  10. PikPok

    PikPok Well-Known Member

    Nov 26, 2009
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    Wellington
    That is not how trademarks work. Trademarks are "fuzzy" in that infringement can be justified if consumer confusion can be proven, even if the marks involved don't explicitly infringe.

    And I imagine that "Blocks with Friends" is only being considered in the first place because the dev hopes to profit from consumer confusion with existing Zynga products.

    Create your own brand. It will be worth more in the long run.
     
  11. ThreeCubes

    ThreeCubes Well-Known Member

    Oct 13, 2012
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    I guess thinking about it this is true, your would have a hard time claiming that the intended purpose was not to create confusion especially if you have a game with many social features. better safe then sorry
     
  12. J.O.Y

    J.O.Y Well-Known Member

    Oct 9, 2011
    128
    8
    18
    Male
    Head of Product at Imba Games
    Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
    Thank you all. I will go with "Blocks with buddies"
     
  13. antony.thai

    antony.thai Well-Known Member

    #13 antony.thai, Apr 23, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2013
    Agreed! I still give more love to shorten name like Draw Something, SongPop ...etc, they highlight the gameplay of the game than the "with Friends" model that getting odd recently.

    Using "with Buddies" with me is not likely an good option as well cos it reminds me to something very "Scopely" which is also popular.

    I am always bad at game name, so I can't give an advise, but creating something very yours is always the better option.

    Antony
     
  14. TheGreatWhiteApe

    TheGreatWhiteApe Well-Known Member

    Dec 13, 2011
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    Games Designer, animator, writer
    Melbourne, Australia
    Try similar words

    Avoid any issues and try something different like.

    - Blocks Wars
    - Social Blocks
    - Blocks and Friends
    - Block Your Friends
    - Friendly Blocks
    - Game of Blocks

    'With Friends' is tempting but even if you don't get sued you will get blasted from the reviewers and the users in the reviews for being a clone or copy.
     
  15. J.O.Y

    J.O.Y Well-Known Member

    Oct 9, 2011
    128
    8
    18
    Male
    Head of Product at Imba Games
    Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
    It's very funny that some one have taken Block With Buddies before (maybe someone who read this topic xD).
    Anyway, yes, as antony.thai said, we have chosen another name which is our own one.
     
  16. DemonJim

    DemonJim Well-Known Member

    Nov 19, 2010
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    App Developer
    UK
    #16 DemonJim, Apr 25, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2013
    I would maybe go with "Block Buddies"

    I think 'With' is the operative word in 'With Friends', not the Friends part - meaning With Buddies is practically the same thing and will look like you're still trying to benefit from the same mark. As has been said it's far better to create a unique brand.
     
  17. Appvism

    Appvism Well-Known Member

    Feb 9, 2013
    179
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    UK
    Good suggestion there!
     

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