TimeGate Studios forces ABC to rename ‘Section 8’ TV show

ABC Studios is to change the title its upcoming TV show Section 8 after US studio TimeGate Studios filed a trademark dispute with the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

TimeGate started developing its new game – also called Section 8 – in 2005; ABC announced an upcoming TV sci-fi drama of the same name earlier this year, and TimeGate subsequently filed its dispute in March.

The two parties have now settled and "Walt Disney Company, ABC Studios’ parent corporation, informed TimeGate that ABC will refrain from using the name Section 8 for its upcoming television series". TimeGate will drop the suit in return.

"Protecting one’s intellectual property rights is paramount in the entertainment business and it’s no different at TimeGate," said Adel Chaveleh, TimeGate’s CEO and President, in a statement.

"With an amicable resolution to this issue in hand, we can continue our focus on making Section 8 an incredible and unforgettable first person shooter experience."

Section 8, the PC game, is due to be published by Gamecock next year.