Mega Drive->Genesis for a trademark problem?

[Nicola]

From Wikipedia: " It debuted under the name Sega Genesis in North America, as Sega was unable to secure legal rights to the Mega Drive name in that region."


What kind of trademark problem? Was there something called "Mega Drive" in USA?

Thanks!!!

[idrougge]

AFAIK it was just a matter of marketing. SoA conducted target group studies and found out that American teenage boys reacted better to the "Genesis" name.

[Nicola]

If you're right, my hate for wikipedia will grow a little more.

[MarioMania]

I thought they couldn't use it because Mega Drive is already taken

[Charlesaway]

I thought they couldn't use it because Mega Drive is already taken

Hence the question as to whether or not it was trademarked, a process by which a certain company registers a specific name, symbol or other specific item used to identify a product, and whose use is legally restricted to the owner or manufacturer of said product.

FWIW, there was a company, called Mega Drive Systems, that produced storage systems for computers that at the very least existed in the 1990's. I've done a bit of searching, and the company no longer exists, but with a few minutes of poking around, I found patent references to it as early as 1992. It's conceivable that this company was the reason they didn't use the Mega Drive trademark in North America.

[Gentlegamer]

Genesis is a far superior name to Mega Drive, any way.

[Xizer]

Well, all I know is, I'm glad there was in issue. "Mega Drive" is just a retarded name. It sounds like they're trying to be "hip" and "extreme." \\^_^/


But "Genesis." Well, it's shorter, and it sounds cooler. What's not to like about the name? They should have used the Genesis name everywhere, it's definitely one of the best names for a video game console yet.

[Nicola]

Hence the question as to whether or not it was trademarked, a process by which a certain company registers a specific name, symbol or other specific item used to identify a product, and whose use is legally restricted to the owner or manufacturer of said product.

FWIW, there was a company, called Mega Drive Systems, that produced storage systems for computers that at the very least existed in the 1990's. I've done a bit of searching, and the company no longer exists, but with a few minutes of poking around, I found patent references to it as early as 1992. It's conceivable that this company was the reason they didn't use the Mega Drive trademark in North America.



Many thanks!!!!
PM me your full name if you want to be credited in my research!!!

[Chaz From Phantasy Star 2]

It's because Genesis was the first story of the Bible, and the Genesis was Sega's first videogame system.

[Nicola]

More like "the genesis of a new gaming era"

[damerush]

It's because Genesis was the first story of the Bible, and the Genesis was Sega's first videogame system.

?????????????????????? what about the Mark III and master system for a start

[Nicola]

..and Mark I.

But in USA it was like his first console, since the SMS didn't go very well, at least at the beginning...

[damerush]

..and Mark I.

But in USA it was like his first console, since the SMS didn't go very well, at least at the beginning...

I meant the whole Mark I,II & III family really, but you`re right. your earlier post about the beggining of a new gaming era also pretty much sums it up.

[idrougge]

Well, all I know is, I'm glad there was in issue. "Mega Drive" is just a retarded name. It sounds like they're trying to be "hip" and "extreme." \\^_^/


But "Genesis." Well, it's shorter, and it sounds cooler. What's not to like about the name? They should have used the Genesis name everywhere, it's definitely one of the best names for a video game console yet.

Thank you for supporting my case. Obviously Americans prefer the Genesis name, whereas it makes me think of one of the worst rock bands in history.

[Cinder6]

It's because Genesis was the first story of the Bible, and the Genesis was Sega's first videogame system.

:\

Anyways, the name Genesis has always bugged me because it wasn't Sega's first console, so it doesn't really make sense. I do like it better than Mega-Drive, though.

[exit]

It's because Genesis was the first story of the Bible, and the Genesis was Sega's first videogame system.


.....what?

[walrusmonger]

Chaz From Phantasy Star 2 is showing that he is somewhere between the age of 8 and 12 with all of the comments I have seen made over the past day or so.

[Haoie]

It was also known as the MD here in NZ, and I presume Aussie too.

"Nintendo is what Genesisn't"

[Xizer]

Thank you for supporting my case. Obviously Americans prefer the Genesis name, whereas it makes me think of one of the worst rock bands in history.

What does being American have to do with anything? I see you're from Sweden. Hell, I've probably got more Scandinavian oriented tastes anyway. For example, I can't stand American music. I'm a big fan of eurodance, however...

[Push Upstairs]

From Merriam-Webster:

Genesis: the origin or coming into being of something.

Take it as the beginning of the 16-bit era, the beginning of a new era for SEGA or whatever.

I dunno, I'm a bit partial to "Genesis" for nostalgic purposes, but MD doesn't sound to shabby either.

[rbudrick]

Thank you for supporting my case. Obviously Americans prefer the Genesis name, whereas it makes me think of one of the worst rock bands in history.

Well,as soon as Phil Collins started singing, yeah. The early 70s Peter Gabriel stuff is pretty awesome, though. Crazy shit.

-Rob

[idrougge]

What does being American have to do with anything?

Refer to my first post in this thread, about marketing.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Well, all I know is, I'm glad there was in issue. "Mega Drive" is just a retarded name. It sounds like they're trying to be "hip" and "extreme." \\^_^/




Well, when you take into account Sega's use of the tag '1 Mega Game' and other stuff to tout the game size, it makes sense.

JY

[XYXZYZ]

Howabout the SG-1000, was that another name for the Mark I or II, or something else alltogether?

[segagamer]

Even though Genesis is an appropriate name for the American video game market, I still prefer Mega Drive.

[AB Positive]

Well,as soon as Phil Collins started singing, yeah. The early 70s Peter Gabriel stuff is pretty awesome, though. Crazy shit.

-Rob

word.

*dons old man mask*

Play me my song...


-AB+