Riot Games Sues Esports Organization Riot Squad

Riot Games has filed a lawsuit against Riot Squad, a Chicago-based esports organization, for allegedly attempting to profit off an assumed association with Riot Games.

According to Riot Games, Riot Squad intentionally chose its name to lead consumers to believe it was associated with Riot Games, therefore lending it outsize credibility. Its suit pointed the prominence of the word "Riot" in the team's branding, from logo to jerseys.

Riot Games has previously trademarked both "Riot" and "Riot Games" when used in connection to video games and esports. The developer and publisher asked a California court to force Riot Squad to stop using the word Riot in its materials, award damages for its use, and offer up all materials and products that use the mark so they can be destroyed.

Riot Squad was founded in 2019. It operates teams in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Siege, Apex Legends and PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS, but not League of Legends. It also sponsors two Twitch streamers.

Riot Games, meanwhile, was established in 2006 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Neither company has commented on the suit.

Photo courtesy of Riot Games