[Stephanie Kemp]

Damn all this tension is making me feel sick, I was happy in my little patch of denial, but I couldn't stop myself reading this saga. If all this excitement and tenuous optimism is blown to bits by Bethesda's continued silence then it'll probably kill any enjoyment I get out of Morrowind and Oblivion.

[Setal Vara]

Here's hoping the game has been fully worked on since late 2008, they might well have alot of things covered so far.

[Jamie Moysey]

Oh god, I started a firestorm :ahhh:

You have wandered into someplace you do not fully understand....

[Christie Mitchell]

So I called the USPTO again, and this time I got a lovely lady who was very helpful:

Me:
"Here is the old mark, 77017500 and here is the new mark, 85067861. Why did they file for this new mark?"

Ashley:
"These are two separate trademarks for goods and services. They added several things that were not included in the original application, and once you file an application for a trademark, nothing can be added or removed from that application; a new application must be submitted."

Me:
"So does this mean that they still have to submit a statement of use for the original mark in order to fulfill the requirement?"

Ashley:
"Yes, but they will probably just let it die. The new application includes essentially all of the same items as the original application, but has more added to it. If they want those additional items in their mark, they need to provide the statement of use for the new mark."

Me:
"So essentially, it's one or the other, but not both?"

Ashley:
"Yes."

Me:
"Okay, so could they then go through the same process of extensions for the new mark, up until the fifth extension?"

Ashely:
"Yes."

Me:
"So just so I am clear, a company can basically keep applying for the same mark over and over again to give them more time?"

Ashely:
"No, this application has different items in it, and therefore it is a different trademark application altogether. They have to either provide a statement of use for the first mark, or allow it to die, or they can go through the process with this new mark, or allow it to die, or the only other option is to make another application with yet still different items listed as the intended goods or services."

Me:
"Tricky."

So there you have it, folks. As best as I could get it!

[April D. F]

-snip-

You are truly amazing.

[Marlo Stanfield]

So I called the USPTO again, and this time I got a lovely lady who was very helpful:

Me:
"Here is the old mark, 77017500 and here is the new mark, 85067861. Why did they file for this new mark?"

Ashley:
"These are two separate trademarks for goods and services. They added several things that were not included in the original application, and once you file an application for a trademark, nothing can be added or removed from that application; a new application must be submitted."

Me:
"So does this mean that they still have to submit a statement of use for the original mark in order to fulfill the requirement?"

Ashley:
"Yes, but they will probably just let it die. The new application includes essentially all of the same items as the original application, but has more added to it. If they want those additional items in their mark, they need to provide the statement of use for the new mark."

Me:
"So essentially, it's one or the other, but not both?"

Ashley:
"Yes."

Me:
"Okay, so could they then go through the same process of extensions for the new mark, up until the fifth extension?"

Ashely:
"Yes."

Me:
"So just so I am clear, a company can basically keep applying for the same mark over and over again to give them more time?"

Ashely:
"No, this application has different items in it, and therefore it is a different trademark application altogether. They have to either provide a statement of use for the first mark, or allow it to die, or they can go through the process with this new mark, or allow it to die, or the only other option is to make another application with yet still different items listed as the intended goods or services."

Me:
"Tricky."

So there you have it, folks. As best as I could get it!

So does this change anything we know? This all very complicated for me haha.

[Leilene Nessel]

Ashley:
"Yes, but they will probably just let it die.

Her prediction saddens me.

[Hairul Hafis]

Has anyone got a link or a quote of what this new trademark is? Thanks

[Tanya]

Has anyone got a link or a quote of what this new trademark is? Thanks

there u go

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85067861

[Adrian Powers]

So does this change anything we know? This all very complicated for me haha.

I will tell you this much, the trademarks I referenced in my call to them were for the game itself (old had no mention of TV or Motion Pictures in it, new one does). The trademark that is going to expire first is for the manuals/booklets etc. They have NOT applied for another one for these items, and regardless of the actual game mark, unless they want to let the mark die for manuals (which would be silly if you have a game coming out) they they will need to provide a statement of use for that mark. The actual game mark is the last to expire.

What it tells us is that they either:
a) have decided to add television and motion pictures to their mark for a reason (goods/services)
-OR-
b ) want a convenient way to extend their mark

If they let the manuals/booklets mark die, they will have plenty of time to reapply as long as they ask for it as "manuals/booklets and paper napkins" or something... but if they let it die, they might as well reapply for the exact same mark since once it is dead the application process is the same.

[Kanaoka]

Has anyone got a link or a quote of what this new trademark is? Thanks

You may not be able to get a link to it so:

Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles; downloadable computer game software offered via the internet and wireless devices; Computer game software for use with on-line interactive games; Motion pictures
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing information relating to electronic computer games via the Internet; Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line interactive computer games; Television programs

[Isabella X]

Hmm, I wonder if this is that thing Bethesda's lawyers knew about that we didn't. You know, when everyone was arguing a few weeks back about how could they use it in commerce in only a few months (before SS used that magical phone of his to find out how), and I said Bethesda must know something we don't know. This is probably that thing. I wouldn't be surprised to see newer trademarks to replace the other two expiring trademarks sometime soon. This doesn't mean they wont announce it soon, but at least they've found a way to work around the expiring trademarks.

You are truly amazing.

All hail SyltStryder's ability to use a phone

[BRAD MONTGOMERY]

I will tell you this much, the trademarks I referenced in my call to them were for the game itself (old had no mention of TV or Motion Pictures in it, new one does). The trademark that is going to expire first is for the manuals/booklets etc. They have NOT applied for another one for these items, and regardless of the actual game mark, unless they want to let the mark die for manuals (which would be silly if you have a game coming out) they they will need to provide a statement of use for that mark. The actual game mark is the last to expire.

What it tells us is that they either:
a) have decided to add television and motion pictures to their mark for a reason (goods/services)
-OR-
b ) want a convenient way to extend their mark

If they let the manuals/booklets mark die, they will have plenty of time to reapply as long as they ask for it as "manuals/booklets and paper napkins" or something... but if they let it die, they might as well reapply for the exact same mark since once it is dead the application process is the same.

Oh alright thanks man, you're putting in a bit of work that many of us wouldn't, thanks again!

[lucy chadwick]

I think it's kind of funny how this undermines so much of what we thought the trademark application told us. We just knew they had to announce before the trademark application expired, or risk having to go through the entire process again, leaving the name Skyrim at risk. Apparently none of us are experts in trademark law.

[Josh Lozier]

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but perhaps they filed for this new trademark in preparation for the announcement? To protect their assets, so to speak, so that no one can go ahead and make motion pictures or television programs based on/using the name Skyrim.

They've filed for extensions on the other mark down to the teeth, so it's apparently one they wanted to keep. Personally, I see the fact that that mark contains criteria covering manuals and booklets, whereas the other doesn't, could be some significant information. While they can always reapply at a later date for a new one if that one expires, if it was going to take so much longer to have something to show in an announcement, why file down to the very last extension? Granted that was a few months ago, but filing for that last extension instead of just letting it die I think perhaps goes to show that it was a mark they wanted to use and were aiming to have the game ready to file for a statement of use before it expired.

Idk just my two cents.

[Deon Knight]

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but perhaps they filed for this new trademark in preparation for the announcement? To protect their assets, so to speak, so that no one can go ahead and make motion pictures or television programs based on/using the name Skyrim.

At first I thought you said "To protect their asses, so to speak."

They better protect their asses if they let their older trademark die.

[Jesus Lopez]

At first I thought you said "To protect their asses, so to speak."

They better protect their asses if they let their older trademark die.

LMAO. That, too, indeed.

I imagine a despairing combination of much rage and anguish will be experienced by TES fans if that trademark dies/the GI cover is something else/any other less-than-preferable scenario occurs.

[Chantelle Walker]

:ahhh:

EDIT: Wait a minute, did he say "sequel"? as in second?

I've seen a few people confused by this one.

Sequel does not mean 'second'.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sequel

Sequel means a work that is complete in itself, but follows the narrative of a previous work.

The third, eighth, and twentieth game or book in a series still called a sequel.

Edit: guess I should have read on to see a few people address this again anyways.

Thanks for doing the legwork Sylt, you rock.

[Budgie]

LMAO. That, too, indeed.

I imagine a despairing combination of much rage and anguish will be experienced by TES fans if that trademark dies/the GI cover is something else/any other less-than-preferable scenario occurs.

You know, with the fact that they did protect themselves regarding media, that may mean they are looking to weed out any unauthorized trademark infringement like we recently saw with Avatar (and The Last Airbender). And since they are about to ignite a major media frenzy if they do announce the game, they wouldn't want to open the door for any "wave-riders".

It is at the very least quite hopeful to me that they did not apply for separate marks as the ones which will be expiring first, and I am actually now more on the side of the GI cover than I was before... I seriously thought for sure it would be DAII; now, just a little less sure.

[BlackaneseB]

I've seen a few people confused by this one.

Sequel does not mean 'second'.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sequel

Sequel means a work that is complete in itself, but follows the narrative of a previous work.

The third, eighth, and twentieth game or book in a series still called a sequel.

Edit: guess I should have read on to see a few people address this again anyways.

Thanks for doing the legwork Sylt, you rock.

Thanks! now I can proceed with my :ahhh:

[Alexandra Ryan]

You know, with the fact that they did protect themselves regarding media, that may mean they are looking to weed out any unauthorized trademark infringement like we recently saw with Avatar (and The Last Airbender). And since they are about to ignite a major media frenzy if they do announce the game, they wouldn't want to open the door for any "wave-riders".

It is at the very least quite hopeful to me that they did not apply for separate marks as the ones which will be expiring first, and I am actually now more on the side of the GI cover than I was before... I seriously thought for sure it would be DAII; now, just a little less sure.

BTW,, where in Maine are you from? I'm from Mass. This ******* heat and humidity is killing me! It looks cooler in Maine right now

[Angelina Mayo]

BTW,, where in Maine are you from? I'm from Mass. This ******* heat and humidity is killing me! It looks cooler in Maine right now

Ugh, it's the humidity that is getting me... like swimming in the air! All my clothes in my closet were wet this morning!

[Jessica Thomson]

You know, with the fact that they did protect themselves regarding media, that may mean they are looking to weed out any unauthorized trademark infringement like we recently saw with Avatar (and The Last Airbender). And since they are about to ignite a major media frenzy if they do announce the game, they wouldn't want to open the door for any "wave-riders".

This is essentially what I was attempting to say in my post earlier. Thank you for putting it more eloquently and clearly.

It is at the very least quite hopeful to me that they did not apply for separate marks as the ones which will be expiring first, and I am actually now more on the side of the GI cover than I was before... I seriously thought for sure it would be DAII; now, just a little less sure.

I would be incredibly frustrated if the GI cover featured DAII for two reasons:

1. It's not TESV and we've waited for this game long enough; not to mention if it's not our beloved series...who the hell knows when we'll ever see the next game?
and
2. It is way too early for a Dragon Age sequel. The franchise shows a lot of promise and I'd hate to see it become a series with installments pumped out at factory production rates. Not to mention, to see Bioware become like companies such as EA would be depressing. Quality over quantity...please.

[Toby Green]

Ugh, it's the humidity that is getting me... like swimming in the air! All my clothes in my closet were wet this morning!

Humidity is going to vanish at about 8 pm tomorrow. Looks nice and cool through Saturday, then that GOD**** humidity comes back :shocking:

[Sabrina Steige]

Humidity is going to vanish at about 8 pm tomorrow. Looks nice and cool through Saturday, then that GOD**** humidity comes back :shocking:

I want Skyrim style summer weather, nice cool 60's/low 70's with no humidity. I love that last week of August when the humidity is swept away and it feels like fall

Sorry for the OT