Copyright issues often come up in the anime community because there is a lot of pirated content. We have seen people get sued for running pirated manga websites, and Japan has even made strict cosplay rules to protect anime series. But sometimes, it’s hard to sue for copyright, like when someone used AI to steal Genshin Impact’s art and didn’t take responsibility. One anime that is free from copyright claims is Gintama, which recently released an opening just like One Piece’s first opening. While Gintama seems to be safe from such issues, other franchises have not been so lucky, with the “Monster” Energy Drink Company now targeting anything containing the word “Monster.”
Lately, the “Monster” Energy Drink Company has been filing trademark claims against anything with the word “Monster” in it. They started by going after Pokemon and now have targeted the “Monster Musume” anime series.

A few weeks ago, “Monster” Energy Drink Company started their hunting campaign of filing anything with copyright claims with the word “Monster” in Japan. It started with first filing trademark claims against the Pokemon (Pocket Monsters) games like “Pokemon X and Y” and “Pokemon Sun and Moon“. Recently, two more companies faced claims: Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals and Monster Strike. Monster Strike was even charged for their “Monster Nuts” candy.
“Monster Musume” Trademark Claims
After Pokemon, it was the turn of “Monster Musume: Everyday Life With Monster Girls“. The “Monster” Energy Drink Company filed trademark claims against this anime series and wants it to change its name. The Energy Drink Company looks to ban this anime series in Japan and worldwide as it has used the word “Monster” in it. The Energy Drink Company is even opposed to the use of trademark on the merchandise the anime series has, like body pillows, anime figurines and other stuff!

Did the companies get charged for Trademark Claims?
Interestingly, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) denied all the claims filed by the “Monster” Energy Drink Company. The JPO manages patents and logos in Japan and gives legal permission for them. Despite their claims being denied, the Energy Drink Company continues to go after anything with the “Monster” in it.
Why File These Trademark Claims?
According to the “Monster” Energy Drink Company, using the word “Monster” in other companies’ brand names could confuse consumers. So, they want all the companies and media to stop using that world so that people can drink “Monster” Energy drinks without any confusion.
Ironically, when “Monster” Energy Drink Company first entered Japan, they tried filing a complaint under their “M” logo. This was instantly rejected because a company with a similar logo to Monster was already present in Japan. The original “Monster” company was advised to change their logo before returning. So, they had to change their logo and enter Japan with this Trademark Claim Hunting Plan.
It is worth noting that the Toronto Raptors logo is also facing a trademark dispute in the United States initiated by the Monster Energy Company. The Monster Energy Company has raised objections to the trademark registration of the Toronto Raptors logo, arguing that consumers might be misled into believing an economic relationship exists between the two parties.

Final Thoughts
The “Monster” Energy Drink Company seems to be just trying to get attention, even though they already have plenty. It’s sad to see them file copyright claims against anime series, games, and other things. As a big company, they have power, and we don’t know how long this situation will last. We can only hope for the best.

Monster Musume: Everyday Life With Monster Girls
“Monster Musume” follows Kimihito Kurusu, a young man who becomes the host of several beautiful monster girls who are attracted to him. These girls, including Miia the lamia, Papi the harpy, and Centorea the centaur, all have their unique quirks and personalities that make living with them both exciting and challenging. As Kimihito tries to navigate this new lifestyle, he must also deal with the cultural differences and societal pressures that come with having monster girls as roommates. Will he be able to live a normal life with these other species?
What do you think about this? Is the “Monster” Energy Drink Company doing the right thing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Monster Musume has absolutely nothing to do with Monster energy drink. Anyone with half a brain would recognize this. I used to buy monster energy drink but no more from now on its Rockstar and fun anime.
Never did buy any energy drink much less Monster.
They turned into copyright trolls at this point, did a single character open a single can of Monster in any episode? Nope.
I really hope they don’t try going after Monster Musume no Oisha-san.
That being said Monster Energy drink can dig its own grave.
I mean they’re apparently suing everyone they can just to sue. Like the article said, they sued pokemon, which you know means pocket monsters through context or a bit of digging since ‘monster’ is technically not in the name. I joked about them suing digimon the other day which, reading this article, seems like a thing they’d do. They probably even sue Rihanna + Eminem, Kanye et al. for their songs too since this seems purely for attention.
Yeah this is what happens when trade mark law lacks a common sense proviso, and failing to sue in one instance makes later lawsuits harder, you end up having to sue everything once you get to a certain size even if you know it’s a waste of time and the courts are just going to say yeah no trademark infringement to most of them.
Nah, I thought it was about energy drink girls, like power rangers just with different flavours
Only in America…
If they want to copyright claim everything with monster with it why not just go and copyright claim every game with monster mention in it. This is just pure stupidity and brainless
Monster needs to back off. The word has been used to refer to different things for far longer than they have been around. I’ve been a fan of their drinks for years and I know alot of other people that chose them. But not I refuse to continue buying them. I feel that if they continue down this path they will lose a lot of business, rather than gain it.
This is crazy. I understand having to sue to protect your brand, but this is not doing that. It’s really disheartening to read that the Monster Energy Drink Company is doing this. I don’t like that kind of behavior, so I’m just going to stop by in their drinks. It’s the only thing consumers can really do, vote with your wallet.
We should just cancel monster at this point… is trying to copyright claim things that barely had anything to do with them and making them go bankrupt.. and they are just a bad brand going for money and a bad product for your health
This is absolutely pathetic. Not a single person ever confused Monster Energy Drink with any thing else. The Toronto Raptors logo comparison is particularly insane. If they want attention, then it worked because they’ll be getting a lot of negative attention for this.
Believe it or not Monster Energy isn’t doing this because they Enjoy it or because they want to. They’re doing it because that’s how the Law (atleast in the US) is written. It states that any Company looking to protect itself from Copyright Infringement must show Prior Acts of Defending it’s Brand. In other words if someone did Genuinely Steal the Monster Likeness in the Future…. Monster would lose the Case pretty quickly if it couldn’t prove that they have Defended against such Attempts before. Ergo these Bogus Law Suits are just a Formality and a Deterrent against Legitimate Copyright Claims that may Happen. Zynga did the Same thing… As has any Large Company….
Of course I don’t actually know if any Court has Accepted and gone through with these Claims as Legitimate since the Big Companies always Target the Little Ones. ????
I guess we’ll find out if We find ourself watching “The Everyday life of Demi-Human Girls” in the Future ¯\_(ツ)_/¯