Nintendo files "Zii" trademark in Japan, blocks Creative
updated 11:05 am EST, Tue December 15, 2009
Nintendo Zii TM may snub Creative hardware
Nintendo raised speculation late Monday by quietly filing for a trademark on the name "Zii" in Japan. The name rights would cover both video games as well as other electronic devices and appears intended to block Creative from using the Zii name on devices in the country, such as the Zii Egg developer media player or the ZiiSound speaker line.
It's most likely that Nintendo sees the Zii name as both imitative and too similar to the Wii name, possibly creating confusion for those who might see both in a given store. Neither Creative nor Nintendo has provided an official comment on the decision, though without a challenge it will likely force Creative to change names for products in Japan. [via Kotaku]
