GW flexed on another company recently for being to close to their Warhammer trademark, while also being the same classification of goods. Come see.
Games Workshop is notorious for protecting their property and titles. And rightfully so. They are a business at the end of the day and are trying to protect their content.
Recently, Games Workshop challenged a company called War Banner for being to close to their Warhammer trademark. War Banner has announced it is changing its name to Dark Peak Games.
What Does War Banner (Now Dark Peak Games) Sell?
The company is responsible for providing miniatures, rules, dice, games, and other tabletop accessories for all sorts of historic/medieval games. For example, SAGA is a historically accurate skirmish game that pits factions against one another with in-game mechanics that you won’t find anywhere else. It uses dice and tactics heavily. You are forced to plan out your turn based on what you roll on a handful of dice and lead your men to victory.
War Banner Becomes Dark Peak Games
On the 1st March 2019 Games Workshop Limited (GW) requested the withdrawal of our trademark WAR BANNER as in their opinion it bears significant similarity to GW’s registered trademark WARHAMMER with our registration being sought in relation to the same classification of goods which GW sells under WARHAMMER.
After seeking legal advice Mark Farr and Andy Hobday decided to comply and have worked with GW to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
According to War Banner GW thought they looked too much like Warhammer and with both company’s models being in the same category of goods, GW pursued the company to reach a legal agreement.
Going forwards the use of War Banner will cease across all digital platforms from the 1st April 2019. Alongside this we are also currently in the application process with Companies House to change our name to Dark Peak Games Limited as well as making other changes wherever it is needed; this will take time, so please bear with us during this transitional period. We believe by the 1st of June 2019 we will have made all necessary changes to comply.
The company is getting a change of name from War Banner to Dark Peak Games. Don’t worry. Their products aren’t going anywhere. The only thing that will be changing in the next few months is the logos on their packaging. You’ll still be able to get all of your models, dice, books, etc. from the website!
In an incredible series of events War Banner, now Dark Peak Games has yet again been petitioned to change their name… This time by someone other than GW. War Banner To Change Name Again NOT Because of GW
Do you think Games Workshop had grounds to push the company to change its name? Have you shopped off of War Banner’s site before? What do you think about their games? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
