The trademark rights for Elden Ring are now fully owned by FromSoftware.

Feb-20-2024

 

 

FromSoftware, the developer known for games like "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne," now fully owns the trademark rights to "Elden Ring."

 

According to a report by foreign media, based on trademark transfer documents found by international gamers from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Bandai Namco Entertainment, the publisher responsible for "Elden Ring," has transferred the game's trademark rights to FromSoftware. The document states that Bandai Namco signed it in March 2023, indicating that the ownership of the trademark has been with FromSoftware for nearly a year, although there has been no official announcement.

 

The action role-playing game "Elden Ring" was released on February 25, 2022, with Bandai Namco serving as both the publisher and co-owner of intellectual property rights. The game achieved over 20 million units sold in its first year, marking a significant milestone for FromSoftware, achieving great success in both reviews and sales. About a year ago, FromSoftware announced that they had begun developing the first DLC for "Elden Ring," titled "Shadow of the Erdtree," but have yet to announce a release date.

 

Founded on November 1, 1986, FromSoftware became a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation in 2014. Its notable works include "King's Field," "Armored Core," "Demon's Souls," "Dark Souls," "Bloodborne," "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice," and "Elden Ring," among others.

 

In 2022, Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited, a subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited, and Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, invested in FromSoftware. After the issuance of approximately 36.4 billion yen in new shares, Kadokawa remained the largest shareholder with a 69.66% stake, while Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited held 16.25%, and Sony Interactive Entertainment held 14.09%.

 

In Kadokawa's statement at the time, it was mentioned that the funds from the investment would be used to strengthen the planning and development of FromSoftware's game IPs and to expand the scope of independent publishing in the rapidly growing global market.

 

Earlier this month, there were also reports that a mobile game based on "Elden Ring," developed by Tencent, is currently in development.