Originally Posted by
Nindoriel
Let's compare the trademarks.
Mists of Pandaria
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game software; computer game discs; computer game software and related instruction manuals and guides sold together as a unit; downloadable computer game software; computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; downloadable electronic games via the internet and wireless devices; interactive multimedia computer game program; mousepads. FIRST USE: 20111021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120925
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; providing computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network; providing online news and information in the field of computer games; entertainment services, namely, conducting contests online and providing a website for organizing, planning and executing exhibitions and special events between computer game players and interest groups for entertainment purposes. FIRST USE: 20111021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120925
Warlords of Draenor
Class: 9 Computer game software, computer game discs, downloadable computer game software, computer game software downloadable from a global computer network, interactive multimedia computer game program; Downloadable electronic game software for use on portable electronic devices such as mobile and cellular phones, laptops, handheld computers, and tablet PCs
Class: 41 Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; providing on-line non-downloadable computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network; providing online news and information in the field of computer games
Hearthstone
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game software; downloadable computer game software; computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; downloadable electronic games via the internet and wireless devices; interactive multimedia computer game program
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; providing on-line non-downloadable computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network; conducting contests online and providing a website for organizing, planning and executing exhibitions and special events between computer game players and interest groups for entertainment purposes; conducting entertainment exhibitions online in the nature of card games for entertainment purposes; conducting card game competitions online for entertainment purposes
Heroes of the Storm
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game software, computer game discs, downloadable computer game software, computer game software downloadable from a global computer network, interactive multimedia computer game program; Downloadable electronic game software for use on portable electronic devices such as mobile and cellular phones, laptops, handheld computers, and tablet PCs
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games, providing on-line non-downloadable computer games that may be accessed via a global computer network, providing online news and information in the field of computer games
You will notice that Mists of Pandaria lists
- computer game software and related instruction manuals and guides sold together as a unit
- mousepads
While the "Warlords of Draenor" trademark doesn't. The "Warlords of Draenor" in turn lists something the "Mists of Pandaria" trademark doesn't list.
- Downloadable electronic game software for use on portable electronic devices such as mobile and cellular phones, laptops, handheld computers, and tablet PCs
I think it's unlikely that the next WoW expansion would all of a sudden not bring out any mousepads or not sell the game with manuals and guides as a bundle. Just as unlikely as it is that WoW will be playable on portable devices. However that line also appears in the "Heroes of the Storm" trademark and it's also possible they go down that route with Hearthstone, so I think it's much more likely this is somehow related to "Hearthstone" or "Heroes of the Storm". And if it is, it also makes sense that the trademark wouldn't need to apply to game software sold together as a unit with manuals and guides.
Another reason I think it's not related to WoW is the name. The name "Warlords of Draenor" sounds very close to "Heroes of Azeroth" (the TCG) and "Heroes of Warcraft" (Hearthstone). The "Warlords of Draenor" then could be a Hearthstone expansion that adds Outland heroes to the game - an Orc Blademaster, an Ogre Mage and a Demon Hunter.
However in the context of WoW I don't think this name really fits. Even if the expansion somewhere along the road makes us fight a bunch of Warlords - what is so important about them, that they deserve to be in the title of the expansion? It is such an uncreative name, it feels like calling "Cataclysm" "Dragons of Azeroth" or calling "Wrath of the Lich King" "Undead of Northrend".
edit: I missed that the Hearthstone trademark mentions cards and online tournaments, so maybe Hearthstone seems a bit unlikely. I still think WoW is just as unlikely, unless they make WoW for mobile phones.