Commodore International, a name synonymous with the golden era of personal computing, has officially begun legal action against Italian entity Commodore Industries.
This significant move is intended to defend what Commodore International refers to as 'legitimate and exclusive trademark rights' closely linked to the seminal Commodore brand, originally founded in 1976 by Jack Tramiel and Irving Gould.
The company's heritage includes iconic home computers like the Commodore PET, C64, and Amiga, which helped define the personal computing landscape through the 1980s and 1990s. The newly formed Commodore International took shape in July 2024 when a group led by YouTuber Christian "Peri Fractic" Simpson acquired Commodore Corporation B.V.
Along with the company, the group secured complete ownership of the official Commodore trademarks, ensuring direct lineage from the renowned brand that has been cherished by generations of enthusiasts.
The announcement of the legal action comes after months of negotiation, during which Commodore International attempted to resolve matters amicably with Commodore Industries, founded in 2017 by Luigi Simonetti. In a statement reflecting the gravitas of the decision, John Errico, legal counsel for Commodore International Corporation (CIC), expressed that, 'The choice to take legal steps was weighed with utmost seriousness, coming only after every reasonable effort at resolution was exhausted.' He emphasized the organization's duty to protect the legacy and trust associated with the Commodore name, stating their unwavering commitment to shielding the brand from unauthorized use or potentially misleading products within the community and marketplace alike. CIC has also made it clear that it believes Commodore Industries' European trademark registrations from 2017 were 'improperly granted and are invalid as a matter of law.' While Commodore International will refrain from further comment as legal proceedings unfold, it noted a forward-looking initiative: in the coming weeks, parties interested in developing officially licensed Commodore products will be invited to use a dedicated licensing pipeline tool once it launches. Notably, this legal activity coincides with the ongoing shipment of the C64 Ultimate, an FPGA-powered reimagining of the classic platform, for customers who pre-ordered earlier in 2024.
The move underscores Commodore International's broader mission—not only to control and protect its intellectual property, but also to foster responsible innovation and preserve the enduring spirit of the Commodore legacy for new and veteran fans alike. With a history marked by technological leadership, bankruptcy in 1994, and decades of subsequent IP fragmentation, the current trademark dispute highlights the challenges of preserving a storied brand in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
As CIC takes definitive action in defense of the Commodore name, the wider community is reminded of the deep passion and nostalgia the brand still inspires—a legacy that Commodore International aims to carry into a new era.
This significant move is intended to defend what Commodore International refers to as 'legitimate and exclusive trademark rights' closely linked to the seminal Commodore brand, originally founded in 1976 by Jack Tramiel and Irving Gould.
The company's heritage includes iconic home computers like the Commodore PET, C64, and Amiga, which helped define the personal computing landscape through the 1980s and 1990s. The newly formed Commodore International took shape in July 2024 when a group led by YouTuber Christian "Peri Fractic" Simpson acquired Commodore Corporation B.V.
Along with the company, the group secured complete ownership of the official Commodore trademarks, ensuring direct lineage from the renowned brand that has been cherished by generations of enthusiasts.
The announcement of the legal action comes after months of negotiation, during which Commodore International attempted to resolve matters amicably with Commodore Industries, founded in 2017 by Luigi Simonetti. In a statement reflecting the gravitas of the decision, John Errico, legal counsel for Commodore International Corporation (CIC), expressed that, 'The choice to take legal steps was weighed with utmost seriousness, coming only after every reasonable effort at resolution was exhausted.' He emphasized the organization's duty to protect the legacy and trust associated with the Commodore name, stating their unwavering commitment to shielding the brand from unauthorized use or potentially misleading products within the community and marketplace alike. CIC has also made it clear that it believes Commodore Industries' European trademark registrations from 2017 were 'improperly granted and are invalid as a matter of law.' While Commodore International will refrain from further comment as legal proceedings unfold, it noted a forward-looking initiative: in the coming weeks, parties interested in developing officially licensed Commodore products will be invited to use a dedicated licensing pipeline tool once it launches. Notably, this legal activity coincides with the ongoing shipment of the C64 Ultimate, an FPGA-powered reimagining of the classic platform, for customers who pre-ordered earlier in 2024.
The move underscores Commodore International's broader mission—not only to control and protect its intellectual property, but also to foster responsible innovation and preserve the enduring spirit of the Commodore legacy for new and veteran fans alike. With a history marked by technological leadership, bankruptcy in 1994, and decades of subsequent IP fragmentation, the current trademark dispute highlights the challenges of preserving a storied brand in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
As CIC takes definitive action in defense of the Commodore name, the wider community is reminded of the deep passion and nostalgia the brand still inspires—a legacy that Commodore International aims to carry into a new era.