Gearbox Registering Name Borderworlds

Twitterer Supererogatory stumbled upon the most interesting U.S. trademark application you will see today (or for that matter, ever.) Gearbox Software--the guys who made Borderlands--are applying for the name Borderworlds. (Thanks Iberger for sharing on the forums).

Hmmmm. Gearbox has already talked about their desire to make a sequel for Borderlands. And the game sold beyond expectations so a Part 2 seems almost certain.

Does that mean a game called Borderworlds? That's the buzz on some other gaming sites right now but we're not sold.

Here's why. First, Gearbox filed the application for Borderworlds way back in August of 2007. That was still a year before the game was released.

Second, game companies and other trademark holders are protective of the names they have already established. Registering Borderworlds might be Gearbox's way of preventing some second-rate company making a Borderlands knockoff with a similar name.

Third, game sequels rarely have different names than their predecessor. The standard format is Original Game Name + Number. Why? Because that's the name the consumer recognizes.

That doesn't mean we're ruling anything out. One possibility could be the name is for some MMO spinoff. Borderlands is already pretty close to an MMO with its focus on co-op and items.

And Borderworlds would seem a very appropriate name for an MMO based on Borderlands.

For those trademark junkies among us, here's the full application:

BORDERWORLDS

Standard Character claim: Yes

Current Status: A request for the second extension of time to file a statement of use has been granted.

Date of Status: 2009-08-11

Filing Date: 2007-08-01

The Notice of Allowance Date is: 2008-08-12

Transformed into a National Application: No

Registration Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)

Register: Principal

Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 101

Attorney Assigned:
IM JEAN H

Current Location: 700 -Intent To Use Section

Date In Location: 2009-02-13

1. Gearbox Software LLC

Address:
Gearbox Software LLC
101 E. Park Blvd., Suite 1200
Plano, TX 75074
United States
Legal Entity Type: Limited Liability Company
State or Country Where Organized: Texas

International Class: 009
Class Status: Active
Software and electronic games, namely, software games recorded on CD-ROM, on digital video discs, and on blue laser discs, all for computers; software games recorded on CD-ROMs, on digital video discs, on blue laser discs, and on cartridges, all for console and individual, portable gaming systems; software games that are downloadable from a remote computer site; and software games for mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and handheld computers
Basis: 1(b)
First Use Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)
First Use in Commerce Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)

(NOT AVAILABLE)

(NOT AVAILABLE)

2009-08-11 - Extension 2 granted

2009-08-10 - Extension 2 filed

2009-08-10 - TEAS Extension Received

2009-02-13 - Extension 1 granted

2009-02-02 - Extension 1 filed

2009-02-13 - Case Assigned To Intent To Use Paralegal

2009-02-02 - TEAS Extension Received

2008-09-13 - TEAS Change Of Correspondence Received

2008-08-12 - TEAS Change Of Correspondence Received

2008-08-12 - Noa Mailed - SOU Required From Applicant

2008-05-20 - Published for opposition

2008-04-30 - Notice of publication

2008-04-15 - Law Office Publication Review Completed

2008-04-15 - Approved for Pub - Principal Register (Initial exam)

2008-03-20 - Amendment From Applicant Entered

2008-03-20 - Communication received from applicant

2008-03-20 - Assigned To LIE

2008-03-06 - PAPER RECEIVED

2007-11-09 - Non-final action mailed

2007-11-08 - Non-Final Action Written

2007-11-06 - Assigned To Examiner

2007-08-07 - Notice Of Pseudo Mark Mailed

2007-08-06 - New Application Entered In Tram