How we crushed a gaming giant
The full story of how we defeated Rockstar Games in a landmark trademark dispute—and what it means for small businesses standing up to billion-dollar bullies.
When Rockstar Games came knocking
In 2021, we filed a legitimate trademark application for BrockStar Media Corp. — a brand built to help small businesses win online with bold, rebellious digital tools.
Almost immediately, Take-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar Games (the multibillion-dollar force behind Grand Theft Auto), filed a Notice of Opposition through their powerhouse firm Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. Their claim? That our small business’s mark was "confusingly similar" to theirs.
Trademark opposition No. 91277285
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) assigned Opposition Number 91277285. What followed was a year-long legal battle that tested our grit, our branding, and the limits of trademark law itself.
Their firm deployed every intimidation tactic:
- Frivolous extensions and delay tactics
- Attempts to dilute our brand name
- Attempts to box in fair use rights for real entrepreneurs
But we didn’t back down. We countered with evidence of distinct branding, non-overlapping markets, a clean filing, no consumer confusion, and years of peaceful co-existence.
TTAB ruling: BrockStar wins
The USPTO delivered a decisive blow: Take-Two lost the opposition. We won our mark.
Not only was the claim dismissed, but TTAB noted that the evidence provided by Take-Two lacked merit. Their billion-dollar war chest didn’t help them — facts did.
What this means for small businesses
This wasn’t just a win for us. It’s a warning shot to trademark bullies who weaponize IP law to suffocate emerging brands.
Based on our research: more trouble ahead for Rockstar
Our upcoming book, “A Fight Against Corporate Trademark Bullies” (Fall 2025), exposes troubling patterns in Rockstar’s enforcement history.
- Serious procedural errors in Rockstar’s trademark renewals
- Multiple filings show potential misrepresentation or abandonment
- Considering a Petition to Cancel the “Rockstar” mark on grounds of fraud, abandonment, and prejudice
Lessons from the battlefield
- File your trademark early
- Document brand usage from day one
- Don’t let billion-dollar lawyers scare you
- Use TTABVUE to track similar cases
- Consider pro bono IP clinics or legal collectives like Public Citizen or EFF
Final word: we didn’t just win a name — we proved a point
Our name is BrockStar. We’re here to help the little guy punch back — with code, branding, and the law on your side.