Ultima Online and World of Warcraft mega-guild The Syndicate® has taken an epic step recently, by trademarking their guild name as well as it’s logos and identity, protecting their brand from being deluded by copycats and people wishing to make a name for themselves by protraying that they are associated with The Syndicate®. Though the guild is involved with creating guides, contributing to game development books, and cosulting, their primary operations are virtual, taking place in the various game worlds which the guild supports.

As one of the oldest, largest and most powerful guilds in all of online gaming, The Syndicate® has developed a strong reputation over the years. We seek to protect that reputation from misuse of our guild name and have taken the step of Trademarking our guild name “The Syndicate®” along with our logo and our motto.

There are a number of cases where guild’s have taken our guild name knowingly and perhaps unknowingly and used it. That has resulted in a negative impact to our reputation as a result of that misuse of our name. Thus the name was trademarked and use of that name is restricted.

Read more: In-game guild trademarks their name and identity (via the excellent Davis games law blog)