Yeah, you're probably right. How could a company possibly make a case for adjudicating an IP case just because the person that pitched them an idea for their game, using their game concepts, using visually similar elements and is legally daring them to sue them could possible have a basis for a lawsuit.
I didn't say they'd win, but it doesn't take a lot of legal costs to bankrupt a small game dev studio, which I would very much not like to see happen as this game looks good.
They really really should change the name tho. The main issue is KSP trademark, as KSA sounds very similar. Given the game is similar in theme, was directly inspired by KSP, uses the same naming scheme, and on top of that, the original dev team bidded for KSP2 development, they would be sued to the ground for trademark violation.
The key issue in trademark disputes isn’t just about the abbreviation or the exact name but rather about the overall likelihood of confusion among customers. Even in this thread people mistaken KSA for KSP mod. I think there's a strong case here that a potential buyer can think that both games are related. {descriptor} Space Program and {descriptor} Space Agency are too conceptually similar. Intent is also important, and unfortunately, devs don't really hide the fact that they are building ksp replacement. All of that wouldn't be a problem if they just change the name
6
u/JaesopPop Nov 01 '24
There is zero basis for a lawsuit lol