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Killer Instinct: Microsoft's trademark application denied

Microsoft has been unable to secure the Killer Instinct trademark, despite announcing it had renewed its filing in mid-September.

The US Patent Office denied the platform holder's application for "entertainment services, namely, providing online video games” trademark as likely to cause "confusion" because a Killer Instinct trademark is currently registered elsewhere as “entertainment services in the nature of a television series featuring drama".

Polygon suspects FOX's 2005 TV show Killer Instinct is the culprit; the crime show lasted just 13 episodes and only nine aired in the US.

Killer Instinct was a mid-90's fighter series of two games developed by the Microsoft-owned Rare; fan clamour for a third entry has been increasing, but Rare seems to be busy elsewhere.

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Killer Instinct

Xbox One, PC

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About the Author
Brenna Hillier avatar

Brenna Hillier

Contributor

Based in Australia and having come from a lengthy career in the Aussie games media, Brenna worked as VG247's remote Deputy Editor for several years, covering news and events from the other side of the planet to the rest of the team. After leaving VG247, Brenna retired from games media and crossed over to development, working as a writer on several video games.

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