Protestors Rally Against 'Candy Crush Saga' Developer with Deluge of Candy-Themed Games

MacRumors · Jan 31, 2014, 10:08 AM

King, the developer behind mega-hit Candy Crush Saga, was recently awarded a UK trademark on the term "candy" for use in video games and is awaiting approval on a similar trademark in the United States. With Apple in some cases assisting King in targeting apps with "candy" in their names, developers unhappy with King's IP strategy have responded with a protest that is seeking to flood the iOS App Store with candy-themed games, according to reports from Pocket-lint and Slate.

Organized by the Candy Jam website, the group exhorts game developers to "fight trademark trolling" by making a candy-themed game between now and February 3. The game-making jam is meant to protest the trademark system and King's aggressive business tactics, and developers have already submitted more than 100 apps with different combinations of the words "candy," "saga," "scroll," "apple" and more.

King CEO and co-founder Riccardo Zacconi says the company is "not trying to control the world's use of the word candy," clarifying that King will only use the trademark "to prevent others from creating games that unfairly capitalise on our success." Zacconi also defends his company against allegations that it released a game, Pac-Avoid, that cloned an existing game from developer Stolen Goose. Zacconi explains the company "should never have published Pac-Avoid" and has apologetically pulled it from its website.

Article Link: Protestors Rally Against 'Candy Crush Saga' Developer with Deluge of Candy-Themed Games

Bensalama21 · Jan 31, 2014, 10:10 AM

The trademark system is simply delusional.

underkuerbis · Jan 31, 2014, 10:11 AM

Sounds like some kind of Willy Wonka

OneBagTravel · Jan 31, 2014, 10:12 AM

I'll participate in downloading the top 10 candy games to see if we can get them all listed

http://appshopper.com/bestsellers/paid

Fresh Pie · Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM

I guess I'll stick with the generic Sweet Solidified Glucose Crush Saga instead.

Plutonius · Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM

Sour Grapes

?

ArtOfWarfare · Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM

By protesting it, don't you just give it undo attention and inadvertently cause more downloads? All press is good press?

CJM · Jan 31, 2014, 10:16 AM

Well they tried to sue the makers of The Banner Saga, for use of the word 'saga', so you know they're being completely honest.

whooleytoo · Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM

Reminds me of the fight for ownership of "Edge".

Starting a new venture must be such a minefield now, between the threat of copyright and patent infringement.

charlituna · Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM

The trouble with his comments is that there are games with candy in the title that predate him. His trademark would basically make it illegal for those games to have a digital version because he controls Candy used with video games. So say 'candyland' now legally can't go digital without changing their name or some how successfully arguing that candy and candyland are not at all the same

I get his intent to keep folks from cloning his game or using similar names to confuse folks but how it was done was not correct or cool and I can't believe the UK allowed it. I hope the US doesn't or if they do someone immediately sues.

Unggoy Murderer · Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM

Of all games out there, Candy Crush is the one I hate the most. I even hate the people who play it. And I REALLY hate the people who play it on my train home from work with their sound at 100%.

iHEARTcartoons · Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM

Just call your new app "Wachamacallit" and your set.

roboclint · Jan 31, 2014, 10:18 AM

'King CEO and co-founder Riccardo Zacconi says the company is "not trying to control the world's use of the word candy," clarifying that King will only use the trademark "to prevent others from creating games that unfairly capitalise on our success."'

Like Bejeweled?

whooleytoo · Jan 31, 2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

By protesting it, don't you just give it undo attention and inadvertently cause more downloads? All press is good press?

It's a pretty well known game as it stands; I don't think they really need much more publicity. I do think companies reach a point/size where "any publicity is good publicity" is no longer strictly true, and they need to keep a positive public facade.

the-oz-man · Jan 31, 2014, 10:27 AM

People, I just want to say, can we all get along? Can we get along?

Rodney King

Xerotech · Jan 31, 2014, 10:29 AM

Cloning and copying is inevitable. Everything has an era and King is trying to delay their destruction. Candy Crush's hype will eventually die down.
If Apple is fine with all the other clones, such as Temple Run's many variations, they shouldn't be protecting King. All CC is, is Bejeweled with candy instead of gems.

citi · Jan 31, 2014, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iHEARTcartoons

Just call your new app "Wachamacallit" and your set.

That was a great candy bar!

Liquorpuki · Jan 31, 2014, 10:34 AM

This is like Zynga trademarking "Ville"

These can trademark all they want, they're still not gonna be able to duplicate their initial success. Nobody cares about a brand when it comes to these freemium games

Todd B. · Jan 31, 2014, 10:36 AM

Protesters? More like whiny, self-righteous kids who have way too much time on their hands or terrible app makers trying to get fifteen minutes of fame by duping people into thinking their app is the real one.

notjustjay · Jan 31, 2014, 10:36 AM

New games in the App Store in 3, 2, 1...

Candy Birds
Cut the Candy
Candy Ninja

winston1236 · Jan 31, 2014, 10:42 AM

Well the US gov worships corporations so they should have no trouble getting that trademarked in the US.

cmChimera · Jan 31, 2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bensalama21

The trademark system is simply delusional.

I'm sure you know a ton about it.

mantan · Jan 31, 2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerotech

Cloning and copying is inevitable. Everything has an era and King is trying to delay their destruction. Candy Crush's hype will eventually die down.
If Apple is fine with all the other clones, such as Temple Run's many variations, they shouldn't be protecting King. All CC is, is Bejeweled with candy instead of gems.

So if Samsung stated your first paragraph and substituted 'Apple and Cook' for 'Candy Crush and King' would you feel the same way?.....just sayin'

Not saying you're right or wrong...but I see a lot hypocrisy on this board....

iZac · 11:03 AM

I wasn't even aware this game or company existed until I read this news report.

However, if they are trolling the marketplace like Zynga does with the '...with friends' and as Liquorpuki pointed out the '...ville' trademarks - then more power to the candy jammers.

Tiger8 · Jan 31, 2014, 10:57 AM

Bewaunce and Zay-J copyrighted their kid's name 'Blu-Ivy' or something like that, oh boy, what's next?

Jan 31, 2014, 10:08 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Protestors Rally Against 'Candy Crush Saga' Developer with Deluge of Candy-Themed Games King, the developer behind mega-hit Candy Crush Saga, was recently awarded a UK trademark on the term "candy" for use in video games and is awaiting approval on a similar trademark in the United States. With Apple in some cases assisting King in targeting apps with "candy" in their names, developers unhappy with King's IP strategy have responded with a protest that is seeking to flood the iOS App Store with candy-themed games, according to reports from Pocket-lint and Slate. Organized by the Candy Jam website, the group exhorts game developers to "fight trademark trolling" by making a candy-themed game between now and February 3. The game-making jam is meant to protest the trademark system and King's aggressive business tactics, and developers have already submitted more than 100 apps with different combinations of the words "candy," "saga," "scroll," "apple" and more. King CEO and co-founder Riccardo Zacconi says the company is "not trying to control the world's use of the word candy," clarifying that King will only use the trademark "to prevent others from creating games that unfairly capitalise on our success." Zacconi also defends his company against allegations that it released a game, Pac-Avoid, that cloned an existing game from developer Stolen Goose. Zacconi explains the company "should never have published Pac-Avoid" and has apologetically pulled it from its website. Article Link: Protestors Rally Against 'Candy Crush Saga' Developer with Deluge of Candy-Themed Games
	2

Jan 31, 2014, 10:10 AM	#2
Bensalama21 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2011	The trademark system is simply delusional. __________________ 4 iMacs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, 2 iPod Touch 4th gen, 2 iPod touch 2nd gen, 2 2010 macbook pro 8gb ram, 3 iPad 2 (64gb), 64gb ipad (3rd Gen) New Macbook Air 13",
	36

Jan 31, 2014, 10:12 AM	#4
OneBagTravel macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: USA	I'll participate in downloading the top 10 candy games to see if we can get them all listed http://appshopper.com/bestsellers/paid __________________ OneBagTravel.com will guide you through tips on traveling light. From booking hostels to train schedules, I'll help you prepare for a memorable, inexpensive, and life changing trip.
	14

Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM	#5
Fresh Pie macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vermontpelier	I guess I'll stick with the generic Sweet Solidified Glucose Crush Saga instead. __________________ Steve would never allow Safari to seem snappier on such a slow news day ergo Apple is doomed.
	20

Jan 31, 2014, 10:16 AM	#8
CJM macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2005 Location: U.K.	Well they tried to sue the makers of The Banner Saga, for use of the word 'saga', so you know they're being completely honest. __________________ iPad 3rd gen 64GB Black / iPhone 5 32GB MacBook Air 2013 13" / i5 / 8GM RAM / 256 SSD PC: OC'd 3.2-4GHz i7 960 / Windforce GTX 780 / 6GB RAM / 24" + 22" H-IPS / W8 / 240GB SSD / 1.5TB HDD / 2TB NAS
	16

Jan 31, 2014, 10:11 AM	#3
underkuerbis macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bremen, Germany	Sounds like some kind of Willy Wonka
	0

Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM	#6
Plutonius macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New Hampshire	Sour Grapes ?
	8

Jan 31, 2014, 10:14 AM	#7
ArtOfWarfare macrumors 601 Join Date: Nov 2007	By protesting it, don't you just give it undo attention and inadvertently cause more downloads? All press is good press?
	3

Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM	#9
whooleytoo macrumors 603 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cork, Ireland.	Reminds me of the fight for ownership of "Edge". Starting a new venture must be such a minefield now, between the threat of copyright and patent infringement. __________________ Mac <- Macintosh <- McIntosh apples <- John McIntosh <- McIntosh surname <- "Mac an toshach" <- "Son of the Chief"
	11

Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM	#10
charlituna macrumors 604 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA	The trouble with his comments is that there are games with candy in the title that predate him. His trademark would basically make it illegal for those games to have a digital version because he controls Candy used with video games. So say 'candyland' now legally can't go digital without changing their name or some how successfully arguing that candy and candyland are not at all the same I get his intent to keep folks from cloning his game or using similar names to confuse folks but how it was done was not correct or cool and I can't believe the UK allowed it. I hope the US doesn't or if they do someone immediately sues.
	14

Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM	#11
Unggoy Murderer macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Livingston, Scotland	Of all games out there, Candy Crush is the one I hate the most. I even hate the people who play it. And I REALLY hate the people who play it on my train home from work with their sound at 100%. __________________ 27" iMac, i7 3.4GHz, 16GB RAM 13" MBP 2.66 GHz, 8GB RAM 3rd Gen iPad 64 GB Wifi+4G, iOS 7 iPhone 5 32 GB, iOS 7 Mac Mini 2.00 GHz, 2GB RAM
	26

Jan 31, 2014, 10:17 AM	#12
iHEARTcartoons macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego	Just call your new app "Wachamacallit" and your set. __________________ I❤Cartoons
	1

Jan 31, 2014, 10:18 AM	#13
roboclint macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2011	'King CEO and co-founder Riccardo Zacconi says the company is "not trying to control the world's use of the word candy," clarifying that King will only use the trademark "to prevent others from creating games that unfairly capitalise on our success."' Like Bejeweled?
	41

Jan 31, 2014, 10:27 AM	#15
the-oz-man macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009	People, I just want to say, can we all get along? Can we get along? Rodney King __________________ Stuff and unfortunately more stuff . . .
	0

Jan 31, 2014, 10:29 AM	#16
Xerotech macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2011	Cloning and copying is inevitable. Everything has an era and King is trying to delay their destruction. Candy Crush's hype will eventually die down. If Apple is fine with all the other clones, such as Temple Run's many variations, they shouldn't be protecting King. All CC is, is Bejeweled with candy instead of gems.
	13

Jan 31, 2014, 10:34 AM	#18
Liquorpuki macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: City of Angels	This is like Zynga trademarking "Ville" These can trademark all they want, they're still not gonna be able to duplicate their initial success. Nobody cares about a brand when it comes to these freemium games __________________ Ableton 9 on a Surface Pro 2, APC40, Audiobox, Yamaha KX8, Roland V-Drums HD1 + Octapad, K-Pro, Rode NT1A, MPC1000, EWI, 1200-MK5, 06-Pro
	1

Jan 31, 2014, 10:36 AM	#19
Todd B. macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2013	Protesters? More like whiny, self-righteous kids who have way too much time on their hands or terrible app makers trying to get fifteen minutes of fame by duping people into thinking their app is the real one.
	1

Jan 31, 2014, 10:36 AM	#20
notjustjay macrumors 603 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada, eh?	New games in the App Store in 3, 2, 1... Candy Birds Cut the Candy Candy Ninja __________________ .
	11

Jan 31, 2014, 10:42 AM	#21
winston1236 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: ><	Well the US gov worships corporations so they should have no trouble getting that trademarked in the US.
	5

Jan 31, 2014, 10:55 AM	#24
iZac macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shanghai	I wasn't even aware this game or company existed until I read this news report. However, if they are trolling the marketplace like Zynga does with the '...with friends' and as Liquorpuki pointed out the '...ville' trademarks - then more power to the candy jammers. __________________ Robert Goulden http://www.robgoulden.com Last edited by iZac; Jan 31, 2014 at 11:03 AM.
	2

Jan 31, 2014, 10:57 AM	#25
Tiger8 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2011	Bewaunce and Zay-J copyrighted their kid's name 'Blu-Ivy' or something like that, oh boy, what's next?
	2

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