SAN JOSE, Calif. – Here’s something that ought to generate some fairly intense scrutiny from Microsoft Corp.’s crack legal team: A company that describes itself as a manufacturer of integrated circuitry has filed for a trademark on “SexBox.”According to the application, filed in August by Silicon Xtal Corp., the mark will be used for a “Video Gaming System Console comprised of computer hardware with unique user controls which plays interactive Adult Only rated (AO) video game software titles, and has proprietary software and firmware that provides access to associated AO content and entertainment in all other digital forms ex: audio, video, HDTV, DVD, online, gaming, social networking, webcams, video on demand, downloading, movie rentals, purchases, stores, advertising, interactive adult communities, massive multiplayer online games and emerging markets in one or any combination of these and more as technology evolves.” (Evidently the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office does not insist trademark applications be composed using correct grammar and punctuation.)
Aside from the February 2008 issuance of an identical trademark to a New York individual — to be used for “Kits containing games for sexual activity and a variety of notions and novelties, namely condoms and adult sexual aids, namely artificial penises, vibrators, benwa balls, gels for use as personal lubricants, candles, massage oils, sold as a unit” — “SexBox” as a video gaming mark may have a steep row to hoe. Not only is Microsoft unlikely to be amused by Silicon Xtal’s claims to have provided some of the hardware for the Xbox gaming console — thereby setting up a potential unfair trade practices scenario should the device actually exist — but the notion of any “adults-only” gaming console already has created a wave of sarcasm on gaming and technology websites.
“…[A]ssuming Silicon Xtal is serious about this, it’s hard to imagine Microsoft letting the trademark application go unchallenged, given the similarity to the Xbox name,” TechFlash.com noted. “The only question is whether this will blow up into the next ‘Lindows’ or just go quietly away.”
“I’m also wondering exactly how much Silicon Xtal Inc. plans to charge for this Sex Box,”Earnest “Nex” Cavalli posted at EscapistMagazine.com. “Gamers are nothing if not technically savvy, and when given the choice between spending money on a porn console or surfing the Net for the four seconds necessary to find reams of free naked ladies and dudes going at it like bunnies on meth, I have to ask: How much would you pay for a SexBox?”
eSarcasm.com goes so far as to suggest 10 games they would like to see developed for the SexBox, including “Final Fantasy: S&M Dungeon,” “Wii Fit: Booty Balance,” “Mega Man 8 Inches” and “Crash Bandicooch.”
Since none of the major console manufacturers allow AO-rated content on their systems, an adults-only gaming console might not be a bad idea. Whether there are enough gamers willing to pay for such a beast — or for the titles designed for it — remains another matter. In addition, it is unclear whether Silicon Xtal intends to develop the device or simply is attempting to register the trademark to keep anyone else from doing so. Oddly for a company that claims to have some major tech-industry customers, Silicon Xtal’s website is nothing more than a homepage bearing only the company’s name. In addition, although the company reportedly is located in San Jose, Calif., the address Silicon Xtal gave the USPTO is in Las Vegas.
