The developer behind the critically-acclaimed co-op adventure It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios, has confirmed that it was forced to abandon its trademark for the game earlier this year due to a dispute with Take-Two Interactive.
Take-Two has been on a spree of trademark and copyright claims against all sorts of things with names involving the likes of "civilization", "bully", "mafia", "social club" and many others recently, and It Takes Two falls into that category.
In a statement to Eurogamer, Hazelight Studios confirmed that Take-Two had forced the abandonment of the trademark, but the company also stated that it was "hopeful" the "ongoing dispute" would be resolved.
Take-Two has yet to comment on any of this at the time of writing, but we'll let you know if we get an update. Ultimately, if Hazelight ends up having to abandon the It Takes Two trademark permanently, it could potentially have major implications on not just the possibilities of a sequel, but whether the game can even remain on sale with its current title.
What do you make of this? Fan of It Takes Two? Let us know down in the comments below.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 18
Who would ever mix those two things up? This is obvious overreach by Take-Two. Disgusting.
That's ridiculous
I've never once confused the two. Madness.
By that rationale Halo: Infinite should rebrand too as many games have had : Infinite in the name, might get confused.
What about The Outer Worlds and Outer Wilds? Two games that DO actually get mixed up.
It only takes one to be an aggressive bully Take-Two.
What a stupid overreach. This should have been thrown out on it's face. Two completely different, and commonly known phrases. This kind of garbage has gone way too far in our legal systems.
I have never once even connected the two in my mind. I have said and wrote it takes two countless times over what's app and Xbox party voice chat to coordinate play with a friend; and never have I thought of take two / GTA etc.
With regards to the previous comments: I can assure you Take Two doesn't believe people mix the two up and Take Two also doesn't want or need to own the "It Takes Two" trademark.
What Take Two is doing, is the same thing Bethesda did a few years ago with regards to the "Scrolls" game from Mojang: they are attacking/suing every single trademark that even slightly resembles their own. This way, if they ever do end up in an actual trademark lawsuit, they can demonstrate they've always "consistently and vehemently defended their intellectual properties, trademarks" and whatnot. That's all it is.
And the most depressing thing is that this works. Mojang abandoned the Scrolls title, Hazelight is now doing the same. There's no beating industry behemoths like these... :/
Take Two, take three or four. Just another day in the office for an industry that's in danger of becoming like the movie industry- a few corpos running the show and ruining it in the process.
This is like Monster getting Ubisoft to change the name of Gods and Monsters to Immortals. Who would ever have linked the 2? Ridiculous.
One is a game about people coming together.
Another is a company that rips people apart.
Pretty easy distinction.
Also, [expletive] Take-Two.
Take-Two interactive is actually my game of the year just slightly beating out Psychonauts 2. Was so creative I loved it.
@Akropolon While I agree on some aspects of what you are saying about Bethesda, this is an even more egregious overreach than that was. There is no confusion argument to be made to any person with half a brain. The trademark litigation system needs a revamp back to sanity.
It Takes Two isn't my personal favorite for the upcoming Game of the Year award at the VGAs, but this kind of makes me want them to win.
@BrazillianCara I want It Takes Two to win just to see the over the top acceptance speech from Josef Fares. Ugh but TGAs don't usually do acceptance speeches do they?
Reminds me of how Disney sued a daycare in Florida for having Disney character wall clings hung up.
"Corporations are people" was a mistake.
I hope a judge comes and makes Take-Two pay for this.
Guess Take Two doesn't want to get involved in good things like It Takes Two in any shape or form.
Corporate lawyers suck balls, and Take Two should be ashamed of this blatant BS
Come onTake two interactive! stop this nonsense!, don’t be such a square! (Wait.. wait?… I just receive a letter from square lawyers… this is getting out of hand)
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