Candy Crush developer King has dropped its trademark opposition to two small companies. Earlier this year, both Stoic Studio and Runsome Apps expressed concern over King’s opposition to their trademarks. The Candy Crush developer had attempted to protect the words “candy” and “saga,” eventually dropping pursuit of the former in the United States.
Runsome Apps posted on the Candy Swipe website that it had reached an agreement with King. “I am happy to announce that I have amicably resolved my dispute with King over my CandySwipe trademark and that I am withdrawing my opposition to their mark and they are withdrawing their counterclaim against mine,” Runsome founder Albert Ransom writes. “I have learned that they picked the Candy Crush name before I released my game and that they were never trying to take my game away. Both our games can continue to coexist without confusing players.”
Stoic Studio also posted a comment confirming that it has settled with King. “Stoic is pleased to have come to an agreement with King regarding Stoic’s The Banner Saga trademark, which enables both parties to protect their respective trademarks now and in the future,” the company says.
[Source: Runsome Apps, Stoic Studio via Recode]
Our Take
King is facing an uphill battle after an IPO that was less than spectacular. Shares are currently trading at under $18 after first opening at $22.50 on March 26. Changing the company image won’t make a difference to institutional investors, though. Most of them are more concerned with financial viability.