WotC WotC doesn’t own the trademark for Mind Flayer

[jasper]

Should probably mention that there is a "Mind Flayer" in the latest episode of The Mandalorian. Who wants to take on Disney?

jasper shoves Paul to the front. "Quick everyone take two steps back!"

 

[Longspeak]

The latest episode of The Mandalorian introduced an Imperial torture device called a mind flayer. Not a creature but still …

I know this is a bit off topic and I don't want to spoil anything, but

Mandalorian didn't introduce that device or the name they use for it in the SW world. Another show laid that groundwork.

 

[pukunui]

I know this is a bit off topic and I don't want to spoil anything, but

Mandalorian didn't introduce that device or the name they use for it in the SW world. Another show laid that groundwork.

I’m not coming up with anything on Google. What was the other show?

 

[Burt Baccara]

Should probably mention that there is a "Mind Flayer" in the latest episode of The Mandalorian. Who wants to take on Disney?

The irony here is that in the Kyle Brink interviews (at least the one with Three Black Halflings) there was some hint or mention that Disney could be one of the large corporate threats to D&D IP.

 

[pukunui]

Should probably mention that there is a "Mind Flayer" in the latest episode of The Mandalorian. Who wants to take on Disney?

I already mentioned it (see post #6).

 

[Dausuul]

Looks like the trademark registration is in the process of being canceled, as of February 23.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

To a first approximation, nobody on the Internet groks IP law. It's been an invariant since back when October existed.

Look, it's been a long few years, but if October no longer exists, I feel like someone would have said something.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

jasper shoves Paul to the front. "Quick everyone take two steps back!"

Not me. What both Disney and Hasbro (and people without expensive legal advice don't) realise is "mind flayer" on it's own is not a defensible IP. The reason being, it's like "hair drier". It's a plain English phrase describing what something does.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The irony here is that in the Kyle Brink interviews (at least the one with Three Black Halflings) there was some hint or mention that Disney could be one of the large corporate threats to D&D IP.

They certainly are. The Willow TV series shows that they have an interest in doing D&D with the numbers filed off. And for 50 years D&D has relied on intimidation to defend it's IP. And you can only intimidate little guys, not towering giants. The fact is, intellectual property law is very bad at defending game rules and content. About the only thing Hasbro can be certain of being able to successfully defend is the ampersand logo!

 

[MarkB]

The latest episode of The Mandalorian introduced an Imperial torture device called a mind flayer. Not a creature but still …

I felt like they missed a trick by not having a Quarian operating the device in the episode.

EDIT: Quarren. Getting my Star Wars and Mass Effect mixed up.