Konami files trademark application for Silent Hill in the US (uses Book of Memories as specimen)
The specimen provided, described as "screenshot of webpage for downloading game".On August 26, 2019, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. filed in the US via the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) a trademark application, US Serial Number 88592135, for "Silent Hill". It is a 1A filing (Application based on use of trademark in commerce) for the following goods and services:
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Downloadable video game programs; recorded video game programs; downloadable video game software; recorded video game software; downloadable computer game programs; recorded computer game programs; downloadable computer game software; recorded computer game software. FIRST USE: 19990131. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990131
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Providing on-line video games; providing on-line computer games; providing entertainment information in the field of games; arranging, organizing and conducting electronic game competitions. FIRST USE: 20121016. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20121016
Source:
http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88592135&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearchThe specimen provided is a screenshot of PlayStation Store from which Silent Hill: Book of Memories (developed by WayForward), released in 2012, can be downloaded.The original filing, US Serial Number 75456606, for Silent Hill, originally filed March 26, 1998, is up for renewal, and Konami must file Declaration of Use and/or Excusable Nonuse and an Application for Renewal under Sections 8 and 9 of the Trademark Act between August 15, 2019 and August 17, 2020. Considering that the original application differs quite a bit in terms of goods and services in comparison with the newer application, I suppose it's not unthinkable for Konami to simply let the original application lapse.Regardless of a new game in the series potentially being on the way, there's at least interest from Konami legally.