They’ve been called Rocksmith for years – but Ubisoft want the title and they’re using “bully-boy tactics” to get it
Game-name game: Rocksmith the band
An unsigned UK band are locked in what they call a “big business bully-boy” battle with a games corporation who are trying to take their name from them.
Ubisoft recently announced plans for a music videogame to be called Rocksmith. But a band from Southend, England, has been called Rocksmith for four years – and mainman Kris Ford registered the title four years before that.
He only discovered Ubisoft’s plans when they filed to register “Rocksmith” as a trademark in March this year. His attempts to defend his property have cost him hundreds of pounds already and could cost him thousands more.
But Ford believes the company are planning to stonewall him until an automatic deadline runs out, meaning they’ll win the name by default, and will then be able to order the band to stop using it.
Drummer Ford tells Rock News Desk: “I first registered the name ‘Rocksmith’ in 2003 and the band have been together since 2007. We were recently voted the UK’s number-one unsigned act and we have a social media following of about 50,000.
“Ubisoft have a legal trademark pending. It cost me €350 (£305, $495) to file an official opposition – and if lawyers have to get involved it’s likely to cost me thousands more.
“I’ve emailed Ubisoft direct about it. They ignored me until they were given official notification of my opposition on July 22. Then they responded on July 27 claiming I’d contacted them on July 13, when it had been weeks earlier.
“They asked for ‘proof of my allegations’ and I was able to supply evidence to show we’ve been using the Rocksmith name for years.”
Ubisoft are behind successful games including the Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia series, and made €103m (£89.7m, $146m) in sales during the first quarter of the current financial year.
Ford says he has to be realistic about the chances of keeping his name. “I spent ages thinking up a word which describes what the band is all about. We’ve worked hard to use it to help achieve the modest recognition we’ve gained so far.
“Losing the name would tear the heart out of our approach. So I don’t intend to stand here and let it be stolen – I hope we Ubisoft will at least discuss it with me.
“But for now it looks like they’re hoping to steamroller their trademark application through then tell us we’re using their name illegally.
“They’re using big-business bully-boy strategies against us, knowing we can’t afford access to the law like they can.
“They’re effectively trying to steal our name.”
The potential legal battle hasn’t stopped Ubisoft from pre-promoting the game – they already have a web page set up featuring glossy promo videos starring Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and sponsored by Rolling Stone.
Mary Beth Henson, director of corporate media relations for Ubisoft, told Rock News Desk: “I can confirm we are aware of the band’s opposition to our trademark application and that a representative of the band contacted us via email. We have replied to them, also via email. In general we do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings so I cannot disclose further details.”
[...] spokesperson for Ubisoft told local media: I can confirm we are aware of the band’s opposition to our trademark application and that a [...]
2 of Rocksmith’ original songs are available on iTunes, more can be found out about the original Rocksmith at http://www.reverbnation.com/rocksmithuk and other places across the www.
[...] Thanks for the report to RockNewsDesk.com. [...]
Anyone started fundraising to help the band yet..? Petition or something? This sucks!
But I don’t see why they couldn’t both use the same name..? The world is full of companies with the same names…? As long as they agree not to sue each other I guess….
The band is obviously just using this as an opportunity to get more famous/well known.
these guys are fckn retarted! it’s not like if their name is being taken away, they just share the same name, bunch of artards
They weren’t the ones that went to Ubisoft, Ubisoft went to them and said “We know you’ve been called this for four years and have had a successful career, but we’re stealing your name now and you’re not allowed to use it any more. Nyeh nyeh nyeh-nyeh nyeh”
[...] Rock News Desk, aunque ya tiene un tiempecillo la cosa putos picapleitos, Rocksmith, Ubisoft, Un saludo [...]
what is this band playing at! your unsigned you should be honored that a major company game will use your name you could deal with ubisoft for rights to put your music onto the rocksmith game and that will boost your career forward more than you have achieved in the 4 years you have been playing. ubisoft will win the case and you know they will so just make a deal with them before you lose everything at least if you deal you will get something out of it ! or become rocksmithUK or something just dont take on the big dogs or you will get biten i for one am looking forward to the release of this game and hope that one bands greed doesnt stop this game from being released look online theres a clothes line called rocksmith also! you gonna take them on two?
Yay another band seeking attention, why did they not oppose the clothing line rocksmith? A cry for attention from a bunch of twats who want fame…
@Hanii Puppy
They did so, they emailed Ubisoft. They complained of them ignoring, well im sorry but a company like ubisoft would be getting a crap tonne of fake copyright claims per day. Of course they would have questions about this. I mean, WHO has even heard of this band until just now. Really, Ubisoft will win, there is no way these guys can win since, as stated above, they DID NOT go after the clothing line of the same name. Simple, DONE!
in the end Ubisoft will win these are just some old farts who are too stubborn to admit defeat. they are still unsigned after 4 years? they are not going to become big. apparently the band was formed 4 years ago but the name was used since 2003 so for the past 8 years they have basically been unknown so yeh they are just making it unfair for the rest of us who want this game to come out.
The game will come out no matter what it’s called.
Many, if not most, musicians will tell you being in a band and creating music isn’t always about “becoming big” – that’s a media fallacy tailored to the uneducated.
You, and several other posters, seem to find it difficult to understand that what Ubisoft are doing is illegal. It’s theft. And they’re simply relying on the fact that they’re a big company to bully their way through to get what they want, regardless of what’s legal, right or fair.
In supporting Ubisoft’s illegal position and arguing that big corporations should be allowed to do what they like even when it’s theft and bullying, you’re supporting an environment which means people like you will struggle all your life to make ends meet –– because corporations like Ubisoft want you to.
I’m sorry you and others like you lie down and take what big companies give you, to the point that you’re scared witless when someone else stands up against them.
It’s not unfair, because it’s your choice; although I doubt it’s an informed one. But it IS sad because you bring us all down with you.
Well having read what Mr ford was asking I found that he is being a tad greedy, sorry there is a Rocksmith band based in Ottawa. And they seem to have no problems using the name and Ubisoft has not tried to stop them using it. But Mr Ford is demanded what sounds like huge sums of monies to release the name for Ubisofts use or he wanted some of thier songs put on the title!
Now these guys are unsign and I’ve never heard of them before this issue! yes Mr Ford money is nice, but all the monies in the world are of no use to Kurt Donald Cobain, Dimebag Darrell. Why do I mention these famous people, well because I and no doubt many others will be joining them one day. And I’m guessing a few would like to play this game to improve their playing (used as a training add), I for one would. I would gladly pay all the monies you are asking for just to have my heart fix’ed. But instead am left here wondering if it will last till your greed is satisfied and ever get to get it here!
I hope Ubisoft change the name and bypass your demands!
I doubt Ubisoft had even heard the name before they came up with it.
So saying they stole it, is a bit lame!
They probably only noticed it when they googled.
They are not using it for a band, it’s a video game!!
I don’t really see a conflict of interests.
Except this band are now pissing off a lot of people who’d like to play the game in Europe.
Probably a lot more than actually care for this band!!
Aside from all that it’s not like it’s actually a good name for a band!!
Putting a genre into it sounds naff – anyone for Popsmith??
its just a name why all the trouble? it would be easy for ubisoft to give up the name but its the same with the band so their just gonna do nothing until one of them gives in. personally i think its pathetic and something children would do
Actually it’s about branding rights and “branding” is the current core element of corporate marketing. If you do a little research you’ll discover how important big corporations believe naming rights to be (imagine Kiss trying to tour without the rights to use the name “Kiss”); and therefore perhaps you’ll begin to understand why they should respect the laws of naming rights rather than try to bully small organisations into losing access to their rights. This isn’t just a story about a band name – it’s a story about what’s wrong with the world around you. Empower yourself by informing yourself –– because one day you might need to understand how and why these things happen, and why we can’t just let them happen…
Please hurry up and sort this out. I think this game will really help me learn the basic of guitar and at this rate I’m never going to get to play it.
Why don’t they just call it “Rocksmith -The Game” or “Rocksm1th” or “The Game With No Name Coz Of That Asshole Band”. Whatever they call it, people will know what it is and rush in drones to get it.
If Rocksmith have registered rights to the Name of the band. Why aren’t they contesting it with the other Band with the same name from America?
And how come the American band never contested Ubisoft with the release of Rocksmith in America.
To me these guys who are a unregistered band are just after a quick buck and to get more people to come and watch then at their local pub each week. I’m guessing they are just a pub band?
And looking at the band they need to grow up. And let it be. As I dont think they are going to be around for much longer. And they are blocking the way for some up and coming budding rock stars of the future.