RC Maker Traxxas Sues Bungie, Claiming Trademark Infringement in Upcoming Game

Bungie, the creator of the popular game Destiny 2, is facing yet another legal challenge. This time, it’s about their upcoming game Marathon, a player-versus-player (PvP) extraction shooter.

According to The Game Post, Traxxas, a well-known radio-controlled (RC) model manufacturer, has filed a trademark claim against Bungie. The dispute centers around the name “Traxus,” which Bungie wants to use for their new game. Traxxas argues that this name is too similar to their own brand, “Traxxas.”

When Bungie officially announced Marathon in 2023, they filed for four trademarks: Traxus, UESC, Sekiguchi Genetics, and Cyberacme. It’s the first one, Traxus, that has caught Traxxas’ attention.

Traxxas is a big name in the world of RC vehicles, with a long history of making toy cars, trucks, and other remote-controlled gadgets. They’re worried that Bungie’s use of “Traxus” might confuse customers, especially since both companies deal with technology-related products.

On October 9, 2024, Traxxas took action by filing their claim with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They pointed out that they’ve been using the Traxxas name since 2005 for various products and these aren’t just RC vehicles but also include things like battery chargers, phone grips, and even clothing.

Traxxas argues that they’ve put a lot of time and money into building their brand. They believe people recognize and trust the Traxxas name, and they don’t want Bungie’s similar-sounding trademark to muddy the waters.

The specific areas where Traxxas sees a problem are in two categories: downloadable interactive computer game software and apparel related to video games. They’re concerned that having two similar names in these areas could lead to mix-ups.

This isn’t the only legal issue Bungie is dealing with right now. They’re also facing a copyright lawsuit from an author who claims Bungie borrowed some of his ideas for the storyline of Destiny 2’s original “Red War” campaign without permission.

Regarding the naming confusion, the creators of Stellar Blade, Shift Up, are also facing similar lawsuits from a Louisiana-based film production company.