Trademark issues block Trenched release in Europe

Critically acclaimed Xbox Live Arcade title Trenched has had its European release halted due to a trademark conflict with a Portuguese-made board game.

Although Double Fine's Trenched was released in North America on June 22, GamesIndustry.biz sister site Eurogamer has discovered that the game's European release has been blocked by board game designer Rui Alípio Monteiro and his title Trench.

The trademark for Trench covers both board games and video games, with both titles nominally set during the First World War. However, Trench features entirely abstract gameplay and visuals, whereas Trenched includes giant mechs and a more fantastical approach.

Publisher Microsoft has commented only that it has encountered "unexpected challenges with distribution", while Monteiro has refused to discuss the matter with Eurogamer Portugal.

It is unclear whether Double Fine will seek to dispute the trademark or whether they will release the game in Europe under a different name.