Take-Two Interactive has filed for trademark registration on the highly controversial 2006 release from Rockstar Games, Bully.
Bully was released for the PS2 in 2006, and cause nation-wide outrage from parents and educators. Many claimed that, especially in light of it’s T rating (suitable for ages 13 and up), the game glorified in-school bullying, a highly controversial issue. There were further complaints as well (as with many of the games released by Rockstar) of overt sexuality and sexual themes contained with in the game.
Upon it’s release, activist Jack Thompson, who also took issue with Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto, as well as a number of other controversial games, attempted to ban the game in 2005 before it’s release claiming that, “what you are in effect doing is rehearsing your physical revenge and violence against those whom you have been victimized by. And then you, like Klebold and Harris in Columbine, become the ultimate bully.”
The US Court, however, ruled in favor of the game, stating that there was no content contained within it that could not already be found on late night television.
Rumors of a sequel to Bully surfaced in 2009. With this new trademark application, could Take-Two be gearing up for another controversial Bully release?
Source: All Games Beta