Bethesda registers Fallout trademark for a TV series

[agent_c]

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Agent_c/Fallout_re-trademarked_for_a_TV_series?

Further research at Nukapedia reveals it was Registered in 2009 for TV series purposes, reregistered 5 times since. Still waiting.

 

[Walpknut]

Because Bethesda has done that with all his franchises right?


Well, good thing I don't watch tv anymore. I don't care.

 

[Beelzebud]

The next announcement we'll read about is how their lawyers shut down Nuka Break.

 

[AtomBomb]

Wow, if this is true that would be great. Bethesda hasn't disappointed me thus far....well I didn't think skyrim was as good as it could have been. But I think they could pull it off with the right budget, actors, writing. The Walking Dead started out as an indy comic book series, look at it now.

 

[Ausir]

Further research at Nukapedia reveals it was Registered in 2009 for TV series purposes, reregistered 5 times since. Still waiting.

Hah, that's not much of a "reasearch" on Nukapedia's part, it's all in The Vault Fallout (film) article that I wrote a long time ago. But the dating of the re-registration coincides with the Three Dog tweets this time, which makes it interesting.

And no, previously the original registration was extended, this time it was re-registered, as the previous extension was final (as it was not used).

Also keep in mind that in 2009 they registered two Fallout trademarks - for movie and TV series. This time they only re-registered the TV series one.

 

[Lexx]

I foresee a Fallout-themed version of one of those Wii dancing games.

Dance like the Enclave!

 

[Izual]

Wow, if this is true that would be great. Bethesda hasn't disappointed me thus far....

How "far" are you, 2006? :p

 

[Relentless666]

But there's already a post-apocalypse TV show about super-mutants! It's called "Honey Boo Boo".

 

[WorstUsernameEver]

Live-action TV mini-series to bridge the gap from Fallout 3/New Vegas to 4? Now it certainly seems like a more likely possibility, though I'm still leaning on "no, Bethesda doesn't really do these things".

 

[agent_c]

Further research at Nukapedia reveals it was Registered in 2009 for TV series purposes, reregistered 5 times since. Still waiting.

Hah, that's not much of a "reasearch" on Nukapedia's part, it's all in The Vault Fallout (film) article that I wrote a long time ago. But the dating of the re-registration coincides with the Three Dog tweets this time, which makes it interesting.

And no, previously the original registration was extended, this time it was re-registered, as the previous extension was final (as it was not used).

Also keep in mind that in 2009 they registered two Fallout trademarks - for movie and TV series. This time they only re-registered the TV series one.

Actually, I went and dug it up direct from the USPTO before getting peoples hopes incorrectly up... Primary sources FTW.

As for interesting, I disagree... Its just its about to hit the expiration date, the 3 dog stuff is just a coincidence.

 

[Brother None]

Further research at Nukapedia

Hah, that's not much of a "reasearch" on Nukapedia's part, it's all in The Vault

Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves! Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves!

As for interesting, I disagree... Its just its about to hit the expiration date, the 3 dog stuff is just a coincidence.

Aye, simplest explanation, most likely to be correct.

Live-action TV mini-series to bridge the gap from Fallout 3/New Vegas to 4? Now it certainly seems like a more likely possibility, though I'm still leaning on "no, Bethesda doesn't really do these things".

This isn't impossible though. Bethesda really should expand its commercial interests in the periphery. They're very guarded and careful with their IPs and that's smart, but a little action on the side could only benefit them. A bridge between the two could make a lot of money and bring about a lot of hype. It's commercially smart so it's not impossible but it does not seem like a very Bethesda thing to do. If anything, I'd expect more something like an extended trailer/teaser with 3 Dawg than a full-blown series.

 

[Tagaziel]

As for interesting, I disagree... Its just its about to hit the expiration date, the 3 dog stuff is just a coincidence.

Aye, simplest explanation, most likely to be correct.

Live-action TV mini-series to bridge the gap from Fallout 3/New Vegas to 4? Now it certainly seems like a more likely possibility, though I'm still leaning on "no, Bethesda doesn't really do these things".

This isn't impossible though. Bethesda really should expand its commercial interests in the periphery. They're very guarded and careful with their IPs and that's smart, but a little action on the side could only benefit them. A bridge between the two could make a lot of money and bring about a lot of hype. It's commercially smart so it's not impossible but it does not seem like a very Bethesda thing to do. If anything, I'd expect more something like an extended trailer/teaser with 3 Dawg than a full-blown series.

I've calculated the odds of such a coincidence taking place. Unless I'm math-retarded, there's a 1 in 365 chance that a registration would take place on January 8. There's a further 1 in 365 chance that a tease tweet will be posted on January 9. The likelihood of them both occurring is 1 to (365*365 = 133225), which is 0.00075%.

It is possible, just not likely.

 

[Bewitched]

Bethblog is down for some reason and they use a Strongback perk image on the index page. Interesting... http://www.bethblog.com/

 

[agent_c]

As for interesting, I disagree... Its just its about to hit the expiration date, the 3 dog stuff is just a coincidence.

Aye, simplest explanation, most likely to be correct.

Live-action TV mini-series to bridge the gap from Fallout 3/New Vegas to 4? Now it certainly seems like a more likely possibility, though I'm still leaning on "no, Bethesda doesn't really do these things".

This isn't impossible though. Bethesda really should expand its commercial interests in the periphery. They're very guarded and careful with their IPs and that's smart, but a little action on the side could only benefit them. A bridge between the two could make a lot of money and bring about a lot of hype. It's commercially smart so it's not impossible but it does not seem like a very Bethesda thing to do. If anything, I'd expect more something like an extended trailer/teaser with 3 Dawg than a full-blown series.

I've calculated the odds of such a coincidence taking place. Unless I'm math-retarded, there's a 1 in 365 chance that a registration would take place on January 8. There's a further 1 in 365 chance that a tease tweet will be posted on January 9. The likelihood of them both occurring is 1 to (365*365 = 133225), which is 0.00075%.

It is possible, just not likely.

You can prove anything with faulty assumptions. You've started with all days being equal.

Lrts work through this in realty. You are making a Fallout TV Series. Your trademark registration is valid, and due to expire in the next few months. Do you
A) do the bare minimum required to show that you are using the mark, and inform the USPTO of that. This secures your mark for the long term
B) pay $325 and wait 3 months for it to be reregistered, knowing that form that you'd have to fill in to ensure long term protection will need to be completed in the next 6 months, or you will need to renew the mark in this period.

One of these options makes sense. The other doesn't.

Edit: Just on the assumptions. The chance of any 2 events happing on 2 sequential days, even if all things are even is not 1/365^2.

The last registration period lasted for 6 months. Thats about 180 days Betehsda could have taken action (presuming that their legal team are the type of people who are willing to work Holidays and Weekends).

Given that we know the original regisration date was early Feb (the 9th if I remember correctly), that they would take action to reregister the mark in a way that suggests it is not in use (they'd file a different form if it was in use) about a month away from that registration date becomes completely unsuprising... A chance much lower than 1 in the 30 days left in the period.

As for Erik, we can't handicap that adequately.. We simply do not have enough information on the people involved.

 

[Bewitched]

The blog is back to work. Nothing interesting has happened after all .

 

[Tagaziel]

snip

Ever considered the possibility the normally secretive developer doesn't want to reveal their plans prematurely? $325 is barely a dent in the budget.

Though it iss funny how you illustrate your own point by making a series of assumptions about Bethesda, their legal team, their proceedings etc.

Far more than I ever used for my point.

 

[Walpknut]

Maybe they are just ddoing that thing were a company Trademarks certain uses of the name of something they own in a field they don't produce for just to make sure no one does something similar, or uses the Name Fallout in a tv show no matter what the show might be about?

 

[Tagaziel]

It's also possible.

 

[dONALD42]

I foresee a Fallout-themed version of one of those Wii dancing games.

I sooo want a mutant - bos dance-off with kinekt!
[/sarcasm]
No, not really, I don't!

 

[agent_c]

snip

Ever considered the possibility the normally secretive developer doesn't want to reveal their plans prematurely? $325 is barely a dent in the budget.

Though it iss funny how you illustrate your own point by making a series of assumptions about Bethesda, their legal team, their proceedings etc.

Far more than I ever used for my point.

No, you did a big mistake, to get your figures, you'd need to assume that each item was an annual event that had its day selected at random. Your assumptions made no sense at all.

That Bethesda has 180 days in any registration period isnt an assuption, its a fact. The Registration period is 6 months.

That the previous registration was filed in early feb isn't an assumption, its a fact.

That the period that the registration ends would therefore be at about the same time, is also not an assumption. 1 orginal period + 5 6 month extentions is 36 months. 3 years of protection. Clearly it is due up for reneweal.

It therefore makes sense that they would reregister it close to the original dates, a much much lower chance than simply 1 in 365.

Could they want to keep it a secret, sure. However what makes more sense, that they want to keep it a secret, or they're just doing the same thing they've done for the last 36 months?

You put some minor coming soon thing somewhere where noones going to notice it, and never say another word. Not unlike they did ages before Fallout 3.

Is it possible they're working on a Fallout TV show? Yes. Is it any more likely because of this registration? No, this is status quo. Is it likely at all? I would say no - Bethesda/Zenimax have little to experience in the field, and are already making a pretty big bet by entering the MMO space.

Honestly Tag, I was shocked when I read those "odds" you gave. I know you're a good debater, I've always respected that in you. That you would make such silly maths mistake I found astounding...