A New PlayStation Promo Has Raised Questions About Who Owns Kena – WGB

Sony might have quietly acquired rights to Kena Scars of Kosmora, judging by an uncommon element in a brand new PlayStation sizzle reel. Nonetheless, the accessible trademark listings and official sport pages nonetheless title developer Ember Lab because the proprietor, leaving us with a doable deal, an modifying mistake, or one thing that wants a bit extra explaining.

As noticed by Reddit users, the promo that includes PlayStation ambassador Lisa consists of footage of Kena: Scars of Kosmora. Proper on the backside of the footage, there’s the anticipate copyright textual content, besides on this case it says: “Kena Scars of Kosmora is a trademark of Sony Interactive Leisure LLC.”

The implication is clear: Sony nows owns the total rights to a minimum of Kena: Scars of Kosmora. And by extension, might personal the Kena rights as an entire, or would possibly even have purchased Ember Labs.

You’ll find the related part round 28 seconds into the advert.

Nonetheless, PlayStation’s own page for the sequel nonetheless attributes the sport’s copyright and associated emblems to Ember Lab. The Steam listing does the identical, whereas naming PlayStation Publishing LLC as writer.

The publicly accessible US trademark listings on Justia and Trademarkia additionally proceed to call Ember Lab for Scars of Kosmora. These are third-party reproductions of trademark data, although, so that they shouldn’t be handled as a definitive test on whether or not a really latest switch has taken place.

It’s pretty widespread for there to be be a delay between a deal taking impact and the general public data catching up. The USPTO’s own guidance permits time for possession adjustments to look after they’re recorded, and notes that some updates require guide intervention.

Alternatively, it may very well be an modifying mistake. Sony has managed to get essential trailer textual content fallacious earlier than: its 2020 Demon’s Souls trailer marketed a PC model, which the corporate subsequently told PC Gamer was an error.

And normally you’d anticipate some type of announcement if Sony had purchased the Kena IP, and even your entire studio though the dearth of 1 doesn’t rule it out.

I’ve fired off Emails to Ember Lab and the UK PR company for PlayStation to see if I can get any affirmation on whether or not Sony nows owns IP or if that is all only a large mistake.

Kena: Scars of Kosmora is scheduled to launch in 2027 on PS5 and PC.