The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[simes]

Somebody just sent me this link (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78653266) Somebody in the USA is trying to trademark the word "Sudoku"!

S

[angusj]

Somebody in the USA is trying to trademark the word "Sudoku"!

Unless they're acting on behalf of Nikoli, they have a snowflake's chance in hell of succeeding.

See also: http://www.nikoli.co.jp/puzzles/1/index_text-e.htm
Quote: "Sudoku" is Nikoli's registered mark in Japan. So, other companies call it "Number Place".

IANAL but Nikoli could have a reasonable case. However, the horse seems to have bolted and I think it'd now damage Nikoli's public image if they did enforce their trademark (assuming it was successfully registered).

[dukuso]

it seems, that Nikoli has a trademark for "sudoku"
only in Japan.
I sent email to Nikoli, asking for clarification on 08-21,
no answer yet.

But IMO, this shows a flaw in current laws :
anyone who comes first can now trademark "sudoku"
in his country or even in different US-states(?)
..without having anything to do with sudoku or Nikoli

I think this situation is very unsatisfactory.

-Guenter.