Delta Force series developer NovaLogic has filed a lawsuit against Activision over the use of their Delta Force logo in their Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
NovaLogic is seeking damages as well as an injunction against Activision for trademark infringement, claiming Activision copied the Delta Force logo with minor alterations. The complaint read...
"The infringing mark's lightning rod is horizontal rather than vertical and a portion of the delta sign is set behind the dagger blade rather than being superimposed...Despite Activision's irrefutable knowledge of NovaLogic's superior trademark rights, Activision created knockoff marks that are identical [to] NovaLogic's design and word marks. Activision then shamelessly inserted these infringing marks throughout its competing first person military adventure video games."
You would think that the army might have an opinion regarding trademark use of their own special force units, right?
Nope, because it doesn't exist, at least not in name. A court filing notes, "There is a branch of the Army's Special operations known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta ('1st SF-ODD'). The U.S. Army officially denies that any unit called Delta Force exists and does not claim ownership to either the Delta Force name or the logo."
See for yourself if the Activision did indeed rip off NovaLogic.