Commodore Industries Reaffirms Legal Ownership Amid Commodore Brand Revival Claims

In the dynamic landscape of retro gaming, few names carry as much weight as Commodore.

Commodore Industries S.r.l., an Italian company led by CEO Luigi Simonetti, has recently issued a formal response to claims made by retro gaming YouTuber Christian "Peri Fractic" Simpson about acquiring the Commodore brand and relaunching an updated version of the C64 home computer.

The dispute cuts to the core of intellectual property rights and brand heritage, stirring debate within the passionate Commodore community worldwide. When Commodore International ceased operations in the 1990s, its legacy splintered across various companies and markets.

Over decades, multiple ventures—ranging from personal computers to smartphones—have attempted to capitalize on the brand’s iconic identity.

Simpson, well-known in the retro gaming scene, announced that he is in the process of purchasing the Commodore rights from the Dutch-based Commodore Corporation B.V.

This announcement was met with skepticism and public objection from Commodore Industries S.r.l., which has overseen the brand’s evolution in Italy and Europe for more than seven years. In a recent press release published on the official Commodore Industries website, Luigi Simonetti addressed the situation directly.

He stated that Simpson's announcements have "only served to create total confusion within the community, fuel controversy and call into question the work of those who, for over seven years now, have been legitimately using the brand in compliance with both current laws and market rules." Simonetti reaffirmed that Commodore Industries, which employs more than 150 professionals in software and hardware development, is the recognized legal owner of the historic 'C= Flag COMMODORE' trademark, as well as other associated brands including 'COMMODORE ENGINEERING', 'COMMODORE SINAPSY', 'COMMODORE ACADEMY', and 'COMMODORE DIGITAL'.

These trademarks have been expanded during the company's activities across Italy and the European Union.

According to Simonetti, all such registrations have been validated by official bodies such as UIBM (the Italian Patent and Trademark Office) and EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), with continuous use documented over the past seven years.

He emphasized that the legitimacy of these holdings can be publicly verified in both national and international trademark databases. The press release took issue with Simpson's characterization of Commodore Industries' standing, noting that, "Simpson's recent statements were intended to undermine our company's position, even accusing us of improper use of the Commodore trademark." Simonetti responded by clarifying, "Such claims are not only lacking legal basis but also distort the facts and unjustly tarnish an enterprise that has dedicated significant time, resources, and expertise to breathing new life into the Commodore brand for the modern era." Simonetti also explained that, although Commodore Industries does not currently manufacture retro computers, this decision was made to focus on innovative software and hardware solutions that align with the brand's forward-thinking heritage—not to disregard the nostalgia of long-standing fans.

He stated, "Our team deliberately pursued innovation, in keeping with Commodore’s pioneering spirit." Concluding the statement, Simonetti asserted the company's openness to collaboration within the Commodore community: "We firmly refuse and will continue to reject any delegitimization, intimidation, or unsubstantiated assertions aimed at elevating certain interests through misinformation.

Commodore Industries S.r.l.

welcomes cooperation with anyone genuinely committed to advancing and honoring the Commodore legacy.

Nevertheless, we stand prepared to defend our rights as warranted by the facts and the law." As the Commodore brand continues to inspire both developers and retro gaming enthusiasts, the current dispute underscores the importance of clear ownership and respect for legal processes.

This ongoing situation highlights the enduring legacy and passionate following that Commodore commands.

Readers and community members may verify all referenced trademarks, as their status remains a matter of public record in both Italian and European registers. We have reached out to Christian Simpson for comment and will update this story as further information becomes available.

Commodore retro gaming Commodore Industries Luigi Simonetti Christian Peri Fractic Simpson Commodore International Commodore Corporation BV UIBM EUIPO