The biggest piece of evidence that GameCube would be called Star Cube is found in these documents. Although the name ended up changing, these trademarks reveal a great deal about what we can expect from the NGC.
Nintendo’s three trademarks for Star Cube are listed below and referenced throughout the FAQ as necessary. These documents were uncovered long ago but remain a good source of infomation on what Nintendo is planning with its next consoles. At the time they were uncovered (by Tendo Box) these documents provided the most insightful (& accurate, since Nintendo filed them) source of info.
1) “1st STAR CUBE TM” (SCTM1)
Document 1. - Star Cube
Filing Date - 12.28.99
Status - Trademark
Description: Attachments to electronic controllers and joysticks for electronic video game machines to import feedback including vibrations that are perceptible to the user; electronic game equipment for playing video games and components therefore; electronic memory expansion device for electronic game equipment for playing video games; hand-held video game machine and accessories and software therefore-- electronic game programs; electronic game equipment for playing video games; player operated electronic controllers for electronic video games; player operated electronic controllers for electronic video game machines; video game accessories
2) “2nd STAR CUBE TM” (SCTM2)
Document 2. - Star Cube
Filing Date - 12.28.99
Status - Service Mark
Description: Television programs in the field of children’ s entertainment; providing electronic games accessed network wide by network users, accessed from a global computer network, accessed by a satellite system, accessed by digital or analog cable system and accessed by a telecommunications network; providing on-line access to educational services and information regarding electronic game programs, electronic game products, and electronically transmitted news and information regarding entertainment topics; providing computer/video game programs that are may be downloadable from a global computer network, from a satellite system, from a digital or analog cable system, from a telecommunications network or from other communications systems or networks; providing electronic game samples, news hints and other electronic game information through a global computer network a telecommunications network, a satellite system a digital or analog cable system or a telecommunications network; leasing and renting game machines for on-line network games
3) “3rd STAR CUBE TM” (SCTM3)
Document 3. - Star Cube
Filing Date - 12.28.99
Status - Trademark
Description: Adapter for video game machine to connect to telephones cellular telephones pagers satellites digital and analog cable transmission systems, global and local computer networks and other communications devices and systems and software therefore- cartridges, compact discs and optical disc containing data audio recordings visual recordings and audiovisual recordings; CD-ROM players; compact disc drives- computers; computer programs; computer software; computer memory devices; computer peripheral devices; computer game programs; computer game software; computer game discs; computer game peripherals and software therefore; computer telephony equipment and software; headphones; interface device between video game machine and telephones cellular telephones, pagers satellites digital and analog transmission systems, global and local computer networks and other communications devices and systems, and software therefore; electronic game programs; electronic game software; electronic game cartridges; electronic game discs electronic game machines; floppy disc drives; hard disc drives; interactive video game programs interactive video game software interactive electronic game machines; keyboards; memory cards; microphones- modems; optical disc drives- optical disc players; photographic camera and software therefore- telecommunications software; television set top boxes for reception of audio visual and/or digital signals; video camera and software therefore; video game equipment connectable to cellular telephones, pagers telephones satellites digital and analog transmission systems, and global and local computer networks and other communications devices and systems and software therefore- video game software; video game cartridges, video game discs video game programs, video game machines for use with a monitor or a television video game machine accessories video game controllers, video game joy sticks
If NCL is Making the System, why did NOA Register the Trademarks?
The only trademark registered by Nintendo Co., ltd in the US trademark & patents office was on the word "Nintendo", registered in 1980 for the purpose of the use of the Nintendo name in its coin-op/arcade operations. Since then, Nintendo of America has filed all Nintendo and Nintendo related trademarks in the United States.
Why are the trademarks for "Star Cube?"
As explained to death throughout the FAQ, "Star Cube" was the proposed name of Nintendo's next game system, though between the time these copyright documents were filed and Nintendo's Spaceworld 2000 show, the final name was GameCube. The trademarks prove that the name was a close contender and explains the occurance of Star Cube rumors.
What do the Trademarks Mean?
Much can be gleaned from these lengthy trademark documents.
SCTM1, a document nearly identical to the trademark for the Nintendo 64 video game system, seems to be for the central gaming unit. This reveals that the controller apparently will have self-contained vibration, something that has since been confirmed.
SCTM2 lists “Star Cube” as a service, or lists of possible services that may be provided through Nintendo's planned online network.
SCTM3 is an adapter for connecting to potential applications. Perhaps this is what will allow the system to link up to other Panasonic media.
