Nintendo Has Renewed Multiple Game Trademarks
Nintendo has renewed trademarks for several video game titles, strengthening its intellectual property protection for games released on 3DS and Wii U. The trademark renewals include Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a 2016 multiplayer spin-off developed by Next Level Games, along with Blast Ball, which was available both as part of Federation Force and as a standalone title.
Trademark renewals are routine legal actions that companies undertake to maintain their intellectual property rights and prevent others from using similar names or branding. For Nintendo, these renewals signal the company’s continued interest in protecting its gaming franchises, even for titles from previous console generations.
Federation Force received mixed reviews upon its 2016 release, as some Metroid fans felt the multiplayer-focused spin-off diverged significantly from the traditional first-person exploration gameplay that defined the mainline Metroid Prime series. Despite this, the game found an audience among fans of competitive multiplayer experiences. Blast Ball served as both a complementary mini-game within Federation Force and an optional standalone purchase.
By renewing these trademarks, Nintendo maintains its legal claim to the Federation Force and Blast Ball brands. Such renewals typically occur every 10 years in many jurisdictions and are standard practice for major publishers seeking to preserve their catalog of intellectual property. This action demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to maintaining control over its entire gaming portfolio, regardless of commercial performance or platform generation.