Zynga has filed cease and desist orders against Blingville. The social gaming company is claiming that the use of the letter combination ‘ville’ entails trademark infringement.
This has not been the first time that Zynga (which has been accused of stealing game design) has been involved in trademark infringement disputes. The company was on the receiving end of a suit for the Facebook game Mafia Wars.
Blingville anticipated this action, since Zynga started their actions against them in November, and issued a declaratory judgement saying that the game’s title is fair use. They say that Zynga’s claim “adversely affects Blingville and will continue to do so until this Court makes a determination of Blingville’s absolute right to use the trademark name ‘Blingville’ in connection with its social networking computer game.”
Furthermore, they are asking that “Zynga be ordered to pay Blingville‘s attorneys’ fees, costs and other expenses incurred as a result of this controversy.”
Source: Tech Dirt
