Ion Maiden’s Publisher Is Being Sued by Iron Maiden
3D Realms, the publisher of the upcoming retro-style FPS Ion Maiden, is being sued for alleged trademark infringement by the holding company of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The holding company is also suing for $2 million in damages along with demanding that 3D Realms ceases using “confusingly similar” products and gives up ownership of the game’s website, “ionmaiden.com”.
“Defendant’s Ion Maiden name is nearly identical to the Iron Maiden trademark in appearance, sound and overall commercial impression. Defendant also uses the Ion Maiden name to sell merchandise including shirts and mouse pads,” the lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday in California, reportedly claimed.
In response to the lawsuit, 3D Realms described Iron Maiden’s claims as “frivolous” and added that anyone who played Ion Maiden would find these lawsuit claims “more over the top than Shelly’s ‘Loverboy’, her signature 18-round triple-barreled revolver.”
“We at 3D Realms, our co-publishers 1C Entertainment, and developer Voidpoint will review our options once we receive official notice of the lawsuit and will make any necessary decisions at the appropriate time,” the publisher’s Twitter account tweeted on Thursday. “Regardless, everyone continues to work diligently on Ion Maiden to deliver the best possible experience later this year.”
What do you think of this news? Do you think this lawsuit is justified? Let us know your thoughts on this news story in the comments section below the article.
Sources: The Daily Beast, Twitter