Monster Energyhas long set its sights on several companies and filed legal complaints for using the word “Monster” in their titles. Among the targets are several well-known video game franchises, includingPokemonand Capcom’sMonster Hunter. According to the Japanese publication Automaton, Monster Energy has consistently used this legal tactic to “protect” its brand.

Monster claims that using the word “monster” in product names may lead to consumer confusion. In the past, Monster Energy has sued other video game companies for using the word “monster” in their titles, includingImmortals Fenyx Rising, which wasoriginally calledGods and Monsters. Despite Ubisoft’s choice to change the game’s name, Monster Energy continued with its legal action.

According to Automaton, Monster Energy had asked the Japanese Patent Office to cancel trademark resignations for other companies, includingPokemonandMonster Hunter, whose names featured some variant of “monster.” Plus, Monster Energy objected to the use of the titlesMonster Hunter CrossandMonster Hunteras a brand and specifically targetedPokemon X and Yas well asSun and Moon. The free-to-play mobile gameMonster Strikereceived similar criticism from Monster Energy.

Monster Energy’s trademark objections date back several years, withPokemon Sun and MoonandMonster Hunterbeing released around a decade ago. However, the company’s legal battle withindependent developerGlowstick Entertainment over the title of its 2020 game,Dark Deception: Monsters and Mortals, suggests that Monster will continue to pursue legal action in the future.

Interestingly, Monster Energy’s legal objections go beyond just the word “monster.” According to Automaton, the company once filed a request with the US Patent Office against the Toronto Raptors, an NBA team, over their monster claw emblem. While trademark objections are not uncommon in the gaming industry, Monster Energy’s continued legal actions against the use of the word “monster” in product names raise questions about the company’s motives. Some have accused Monster Energy of being a “trademark troll,” using legal action to stifle competition. The use of popular franchise names as well as smaller independent games as targets for trademark lawsuits, has sparked concern among gamers and developers alike.

AlthoughMonster Energy promotes several games, many argue that these legal actions have little to do with protecting consumers from confusion and are instead an attempt to use legal muscle to limit competition in the market. In response to these objections, companies like Capcom have defended their use of the word “monster” in their product names, citing their long-standing use of the term and their commitment to creating unique and original content. While the legal battles between Monster Energy and the gaming industry continue, it remains to be seen how these trademark disputes will ultimately be resolved.