Electronic Arts and Ubisoft resolve differences over 'Ghost' trademark

Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have resolved their differences over gaming trademarks involving the word "Ghost," an EA representative told Polygon.

EA is abandoning its application for one trademark — made for Ghost Games, the studio it owns — for one class of trademark while maintaining its trademark in another class, the representative said. Elsewhere, Ubisoft and EA have reached an agreement "to carry on with our respective trademarks."

A filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's appeals board on Feb. 24 showed EA abandoning a trademark for "Ghost." EA had sought the mark last year and it was opposed by Ubisoft, maker of the Ghost Recon franchise.

The still active application is for "Entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game; Provision of information relating to electronic computer games provided via the Internet."

Ubisoft cited its Ghost Recon franchise in its formal opposition at the end of January. That had given EA until a week from now to respond or work out a deal.

Ghost Games was begun in 2011 as EA Gothenburg, located in Sweden, and renamed in 2012. It developed 2013's Need For Speed Rivals and 2015's Need for Speed reboot. The studio will continue work under that name.