F-22 Raptor Debate Continues

The debate over the rights to the name and likeness of the F-22 Raptor has entered the next level. Interactive Magic announced yesterday that it had gotten support for its case from the US Air Force and the Interactive Digital Software Association.

The Air Force's attorneys have been meeting over the past few weeks to come to a decision, and finally a spokesman said that the likeness and name of the plane should be in the public domain, although the actual name of the F-22 Raptor could possibly be trademarked by one company - in this case, NovaLogic.

The IDSA, which is the company behind E3, also pledged support in a letter to iMagic head "Wild Bill" Stealey. President of IDSA Douglas Lowenstein said in the letter, "I believe the effort by Lockheed to control use of this mark is inappropriate and contrary to the interests of all members of the IDSA, including iMagic. If Lockheed persists in its position, I believe the IDSA should seek approval from our various committees to take action to oppose Lockheed and prevent it - and other defense contractors - from profiteering through the largesse of the US taxpayers."

The letter went on to say that some possible actions would include letters to Pentagon officials, lobbying with lawmakers, and targeted public relations initiatives to identify how consumers might be adversely affected by Lockheed's deal with NovaLogic.

Dave Murray, iMagic's director of marketing communications and product marketing, said the company was pleased about the Air Force's statement. "We thought that would be their decision," he said. "We were pleasantly surprised by IDSA's support, but it goes to show that we're not the only company concerned." Murray adds that while the Air Force can't control what Lockheed-Martin does, iMagic hopes that "NovaLogic will no longer continue to acquire exclusive rights to the F-22 or any other aircraft."

Murray contends that iMagic doesn't want to spend money on a legal battle, preferring instead to make a good game. "We want to see competition at the store level, not through highbrow lawyers," he said. NovaLogic has argued from the beginning that it isn't iMagic's use of the likeness of the plane that bothers the company, but rather the use of the F-22 Raptor name. The company addressed a letter to iMagic asking it only to rename its iF-22 Raptor product "to avoid confusingly similar logos and packaging." In response to the furor, NovaLogic has said that iMagic is blowing the situation out of proportion. In the meantime, industry sources say that NovaLogic is negotiating with Lockheed's game division, Skunk Works, to obtain further rights to other military vehicles.

Lockheed's Ray Crockett told GS News today that the company would meet this Thursday to establish an official position on the debate. Crockett says Lockheed has a legal basis for licensing names and logotypes of aircraft it manufactures but is still looking into the extent of that legal basis.

Currently, there are four companies making games based on the F-22 Raptor: iMagic, Digital Image Design, Mission Studios, and NovaLogic.