Ruby studio Fntastic has filed a legal challenge against the owner of the mobile game The Day Before, seeking to secure the rights to use the game’s name. This report comes from Ins iderGaming conventions. [citation]
Earlier in 2023, it emerged that the name The Day Before had already been claimed by another party when a Korean developer, Lee Sung-jae, registered a trademark for a mobile application in 2010. Fntastic has not backed away from the dispute and has pressed Lee Sun Jae to transfer the rights to The Day Before for their project. [citation]
Leaks suggest that the legal process could be lengthy. The first hearing is scheduled for May 22, with the final proceedings unlikely before October 23, 2024. If the game is slated for release on November 10, 2023, this timing creates a potential clash between the trademark case and the public launch. [citation]
How Fntastic intends to resolve the trademark issue remains uncertain. If the Korean developer refuses to transfer the name, the studio may need to select a new title for future projects or push back the game’s release. Such a move could influence the confidence of gamers, who remain skeptical about the existence of The Day Before. [citation]
Insider-Gaming suggests that studios might explore alternative concepts such as Two Days Before or The Day After as contingency options. [citation]
Earlier reporting noted that Fntastic responded to critics by showcasing new gameplay footage for The Day Before, attempting to demonstrate the project’s progress and legitimacy. [citation]