It Takes Two, one of the best games of 2021, and the latest co-op focused game from the designer of A Way Out and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Josef Fares, has come under fire from Take-Two, the company behind Grand Theft Auto.
It Takes Two, which involves an estranged couple being shrunk down into dolls by a magic love book and forced to cooperate to find a way to change back, was actually hit by the trademark claim before its release earlier this year. Records indicate Hazelight, the developer of It Takes Two, abandoning ownership of the game’s name following the trademark claim.
In talking to to Eurogamer, a spokesperson for Hazelight said that they “cannot comment on ongoing disputes”, but that the team is “hopeful it will be resolved”.
An official notice of abandonment sent to the US Patent Office following Take-Two’s claim shows that Hazelight have indeed had to abandon their trademark of the game, which likely will have caused Hazelight trouble in marketing and selling the game. There is no word on if the title will need its name changed, or if any potential sequels will have a different name.
Take-Two is notoriously litigious, having filed dozens of claims in this year alone against a wide spread of products and businesses. According to the US Patent Office’s records, Take-Two has filed claims against projects that have the audacity to use words that Take-Two feels some sort of ownership over, such as rockstar”, “social club”, “mafia”, and “civilization,” among others.
Any company that uses the word “rockstar” in their branding is likely to be struck down by Take-Two, including Florida-based axe throwing company “Rockstar Axe Throwing.” They’ve also had a long history of going after GTA modders and GTA-adjacent fan projects.
It Takes Two, a critically-lauded co-op game about two beleaguered parents and an obnoxious talking book is apparently a big enough threat to the massive publishing giant to warrant this draconian legal action.
It is unclear how Hazelight plans to proceed or what this legal battle will mean for It Takes Two going forward.
READ NEXT: 15 Best PS5 Games For Couples
Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made from visiting our site.
