Laying claim to a word as common as candy is ruffling some feathers in the world of gaming developers, many of whom may not have the financial resources necessary to fight a trademark claim against a more established developer like King. Benny Hsu, the developer behind All Candy Casino Slots — Jewels Craze Connect: Big Blast Mania Land, told Gamezebo that he doesn't have the money to fight back. "I plan on changing the name if that is what I must do," he said.

So they're trademarking Candy for mobile games.

Clearly, Candyland preceded them.

Still, that's kind of amazing that they would even try.

I'm still addicted to Candy Crush but I have not paid them a dime.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office shouldn't allow a company to patent such a common name, the name is no way specific to only this company, it should be allowed for any other game companies to use.  Can't blame King.com for trying, it's the patent office who should have turned it down.  They shouldn't be able to patent the word "Crush" either, but maybe the combination "Candy Crush" should not be allowed in any form by others.  Where has the common sense gone???

Names are approved by the trademark office. (Inventions are the patent office.)

So this is a trademark issue.

A trademark is issued for a name in an area of commerce.

So the candy trademark could prevent other mobile apps with candy in the name.

But still allow the board game Candyland to exist.

Similarly maybe there's no mobile apps allowed with crush in the name.

But still allow the soda Crush to exist.

Really, Candy Crush?

More about this:

http://rockpapershotgun.com/2014/01/21/stealing-candy-from-babies-king-embrace-the-aristocracy/