*Edit the Last*
**Disclaimer** Ok, this thread hasn't been active for about 3 weeks, but I believe as long as a thread is less than a month old posting doesn't constitute a necro. If it does I apologize, but I thought it made more sense to post here than to start another TDB related thread.
Now that that's out of the way on to business: recent developments, namely the birth of Heroes of the Storm (there's an application for it in the EU now as well), have had me thinking about The Dark Below again. It's gotten me pondering, "What if HotS is unrelated to WoW, and The Dark Below *is* real?" "What will people think?" I imagine a lot of people will scratch their heads and wonder why Blizzard went through everything they did to keep The Dark Below's authenticity a secret. I came up with this, my Unified Theory of WTF Was Blizzard Thinking??™, in the Heroes of the Storm thread to try to answer that question:
I realize this sounds rather far-fetched (and it is), but when you think about it all they had to do to set these events in motion is fill out a few forms and pay some relatively minor legal fees which if their plan worked at all should have been easily covered through additional revenue via increased Virtual Ticket sales and sub-retention.
If this was their plan I'd say it worked, because I am very excited for this year's Blizzcon. xD
I'll leave you with this:
WHO WOULDN'T LOVE THAT FACE!!? <3
*Edit the Twelfth*
The Dark Below has been removed from the European trademark database. Why it was removed I don't know. In the past it has disappeared for a short time when it passed a new examination, but it has been over 24 hours at this point so I think that's unlikely.
The next stage in the application process is publication, and going by past Blizzard trademarks that should be at least another few weeks away so I doubt that's the case.
Theories as to why it was removed:
It could have been removed by Blizzard for reasons unknown, it could have legitimately failed the application process due to a mistake on Blizzard's or their representative's (FRKelly's) part and must be refiled, or it could have been a hoax all along. If it does turn out to be a hoax I admit I was wrong about the verisimilitude of this application.
I think it's interesting to note that the application was purged from the database shortly after (within one day) I emailed the OHIM requesting information specifically referencing The Dark Below, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., and TDB's trademark number. They completely ignored that question as your're not allowed to submit queries regarding specific files via email:
http://oami.europa.eu/ows/rw/pages/OHIM/contact.en.doOriginally Posted by OHIM
It's possible, if unlikely, that my inquiry regarding the application and trademark fraud lead them to take a closer look at TDB's file.
Also, I find it interesting that for the first time ever someone is claiming that TDB was in the USPTO database for a very short time before Bibi even posted the first unfiled application form:
The poster has no proof of their claim (no screencap), and it's suspicious that they're only chiming in now so take it with a grain of salt.
*Sub-Edit* The poster went on to post a screencap of a trademark entry from the USPTO for The Dark Below claiming a guildmate took it; however, said screencap was a poorly done fake using the serial number from Reaper of Soul's trademark information so I think we can dismiss his claims at this point.
That's it for now. Personally, I don't think this is the last we've heard of The Dark Below. We'll find out at Blizzcon one way or another.
Or maybe sooner.
*Edit the Thirteenth*
Apparently, in the USPTO database at least, when a trademark is canceled, because it fails to pass muster it's still searchable, and the reason it was removed is made public as part of its file.
Thanks xinjun for the the find.
*Edit the Fourteenth*
I sent one last email to the OHIM to help clarify this latest turn of events.
Question:
Response:Originally Posted by D4NNYB0Y
I'm not quite sure what lack of applicant means, but I would take mark representation and list of goods and services to mean that the application wasn't filled out properly:Originally Posted by Kristin KROLZIK
Mark representation= http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/mark.jsp, and it was pointed out long ago that TDB's application had a much shorter list of goods and services than previous Blizzard filings. Lack of payment means just that.
So essentially the application was rejected for one or more of these reasons. This means TDB could have been a hoax all along (and our hoaxster is one brave little toaster as he was the only person in the world with the balls to file (not just fill out a form but file) a trademark application in Blizzard's and their attorney's names), Blizzard could have made a legitimate mistake on the application form, or Blizzard could have deliberately misfiled the application or stopped payment to throw us off their trail. Only time will tell I suppose.
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Just delete my first thread as no one is noticing it. (Please and thank you btw. <3)
Both The Dark Below and Reaper of Souls tmed here:
http://tmview.europa.eu/tmview/basicSearch.html
Just search for them, the session times out.
This is an official EU tm site. This is not fake. This is real. I repeat this is real.
*Edit*
Also, quick everyone panic! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Screencap:
http://i.imgur.com/iq28xDP.jpg
Dear Bibi: *ahem* FIRST!
*Edit the Second*
It looks like we're past the point of no return of this being fake. The application has passed the Initial Priorities/Seniorities Examination as part of the Formalities Examination. This basically means that if it were fake it would have been rejected by now. So ya.
Thanks Hitei for your diligence and Xeraxis and others for confirming.
*Edit the Third*
How the examination process works:
http://oami.europa.eu/ows/rw/pages/C...gProcess.en.do
http://puu.sh/43itL.png
Where The Dark Below is in the examination process:
http://oami.europa.eu/CTMOnline/Requ..._Result_NoReg#
Plug in the name.
It has passed Searches which is one of the last steps before the OHIM accepts the application and approves it for publication. The chance that the OHIM still hasn't checked the applicant's credentials or contacted Blizzard's counsel at this point is slim to none. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is legit.
*Edit the Fourth*
The application is now being examined for Absolute Grounds for dismissal. This is the final step before publication, and absolutely all checks for fraud should have been completed after this point.
*Edit the Fifth*
It has passed Absolute Grounds. Ladies and gentlemen, this was filed by Blizzard. Whether or not it's the name of the next WoW expansion is another matter.
*Edit the Sixth*
Some interesting info regarding past expansions' trademark applications. Thanks bluespacecow for doing the research.
*Edit the Seventh*
Some more info about the trademark process:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/t250067.htm
*Edit the Eighth*
This is what they told us when MoP's trademark was discovered prematurely:
Source:Originally Posted by Tom Chilton
http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/to...dly-overhyped/
Just thought it was interesting in relation to the recent Kosak and GC tweets. Thanks to Teriz for digging it up.
*Edit the Ninth*
This is the response they gave when Hitei emailed them:
http://i.imgur.com/NlszZSc.png
I also emailed them directly.
Question:
Response:Originally Posted by D4NNYB0Y
Make of it what you will.Originally Posted by Margarita GARCIA CARBALLEIRA
*Edit the Tenth*
I think this is a pretty fair assessment of her response:
*Edit the Eleventh*
I sent a follow-up email for clarification.
Question:
Response:Originally Posted by D4NNYB0Y
Again, make of it what you will.Originally Posted by Margarita GARCIA CARBALLEIRA