GTA publisher sues Max Payne's Remedy over the letter ‘R’

Grand Theft Auto publisher Take Two Interactive is suing Remedy Entertainment over its new logo. Believing the logo is too similar to GTA developer Rockstar Games’ logo, the massive publisher is seeking damages.

Remedy Entertainment changed its logo back in 2023, replacing its bullet-shaped letter ‘R’ in a circle with a reflective ‘R’. While this logo overhaul was expected to be a simple change, Take Two has disputed the developer’s trademark.

Take-Two claims that the new logo will introduce “a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public”. This is despite the fact that Rockstar Games’ logo is an ‘R’ in a square right next to a star. You know, like Rockstar.

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Remedy Entertainment revealed that its new logo aimed to change the identity of the studio from always working on one title at a time to one that works concurrently on multiple titles. When the logo was revealed, no one expected it to be locked in legal trouble.

“We wanted our new logo to reflect how we constantly evolve and continue creating exciting games with the very best people,” Remedy explained back in April. “However, it's all still one Remedy where courageous creativity thrives. We hope you like the new look."

What makes this situation even more bizarre is the relationship between Remedy Entertainment and Rockstar Games. Back in the early 2000s, Rockstar Games published Remedy’s groundbreaking Max Payne games. The two companies are also working with each other on the upcoming Max Payne remakes that are currently in development alongside Control 2.

With this in mind, Take Two’s legal action against the Alan Wake 2 developer feels like a corporate betrayal. On the other hand, with the two studios being so tightly entwined, perhaps the publisher has a point.

At this point, it seems unlike that gamers would get Rockstar Games’ logo mixed up with anyone else. As one of the most beloved studios in the world, its logo is also one of the most iconic, and everyone recognises the real Rockstar logo at this point.

Rockstar Games is currently hard at work on Grand Theft Auto 6. With the GTA 6 release date planned for next year, the open world action game is expected to break even more records than its predecessor.