Sony Sued Over Buzz Quiz Games

Buzztime Entertainment has filed suit against Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (‘Sony’) over their super-popular Buzz! series of Play Station 3 quiz games, claiming the franchise violates several of their trademarks.

Buzztime, maker of electronic trivia games most frequently found in restaurants and bars, is claiming that Sony’s use of the name Buzz! and the slogan, "It's time to get buzzing" infringes on its trademarks. While Buzztime owns the trademarks for several "buzz" related words and phrases, such as BUZZTIME, BUZZHEAD, SHARE THE BUZZ, AND BUZZKIDS, it does not own a trademark for BUZZ or BUZZ!

Buzztime wants the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to deny Sony's pending trademark application for BUZZ! They have also asked for a recall and destruction of the offending products, actual and punitive damages, and legal fees.

Because it appears that the names and goods are similar enough to cause consumer confusion, it appears that Buzztime has a legitimate case for at least an injunction which would prevent further use of the BUZZ! trademark by Sony.