Law firm explains why Sony can't register the term 'Let's Play'

Sony's recent attempt to trademark the term "Let's Play" is unlikely to succeed.

A few weeks ago, Sony Computer America attempted to trademark the term "Let's Play" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). At the time, the trademark office refused the application because it was too similar to "Letz Play," a trademark owned by another company.

According to Sony's application, the company was attempting to register the "Let's Play" we know. That is to say, it was trying to register the activity of streaming video games online. Naturally, the move has made a lot of people very unhappy.

Among those not too thrilled with the application is The McArthur Law Firm, a US-based firm that sent a letter of protest to USPTO to explain why accepting this trademark may not be the best move. The law firm listed over 50 examples of how the term has been, and continues to be used commonly in the video game world.

"Given the strength of this evidence, we are confident that Sony will not be able to overcome this rejection," said the firm. "The term “Let’s Play” is now forever in the public domain."

As a result, the trademark office added this reason to its argument in refusing the trademark registration. Sony still has until June 29 to offer a counter argument to both of the above reasons.