FromSoftware, the developer behind Bloodborne and Dark Souls, has acquired the full rights to the Elden Ring trademark from Bandai Namco.
According to a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office trademark assignment document, Bandai Namco has transferred ownership of the trademark for Elden Ring to FromSoftware in March 2023.
“NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Assignor [BANDAI NAMCO] hereby assigns to Assignee [FromSoftware] all right, title, and interest in and to the Trademark,” the document reads. “Together with the goodwill of the business symbolized by the Trademark and the identified registration therefor, and with all claims arising out of or relating to the use of ownership of the Trademark.”
Elden Ring is an action RPG that was developed by FromSoftware and launched in February 2022. The game was published by FromSoftware in Japan, and BANDAI NAMCO for international release.
Ever since Elden Ring came out, it has received international acclaim and success, with 12 million sales reportedly made in less than a month, and the game selling 20 million copies in a year. Making it the best-selling game in the Soulsborne series.
The game has also received multiple awards and accolades, with one of the most notable being Elden Ring winning Game of The Year at The Game Awards in 2022, while also winning many other categories in the same event.
On February 28th, 2023, FromSoftware announced a DLC expansion for Elden Ring, named Shadow of the Erdtree, though only a few details regarding it have been released since.
A mobile version of Elden Ring was also reported to be in development by Tencent earlier this month.