Sony's popular Buzz! quiz games for the PS2 have helped the company reach a more casual gamer audience, but they've also apparently caught the eye of Carlsbad, California-based Buzztime Entertainment, which believes Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has violated their trademarks, according to a report on GameSpot.

Buzztime was founded back in 1985 and has provided a line of electronic trivia games often used in restaurants and bars. Home versions that hook up to a television come with colored wireless controllers. They also offer quiz services over mobile phones, digital cable and satellite systems. Buzztime feels that Sony's "It's time to get buzzing" tagline violates its trademarks, even though they do not have a trademark specifically on the word "Buzz" for use in games. Buzztime has registered trademarks for "Buzztime," "Buzzhead," "Share the Buzz," and "Buzzkids" dating back to 2001.

Buzztime's trademarks describe use of the words for "entertainment in the nature of interactive games played via interactive television and an interactive global computer network," and "equipment for playing a plug and play game, namely, video game machines for use with televisions, video game interactive remote control units, video game cartridges, and interactive video game programs."

Buzztime alleges that SCEE is misleading consumers by selling similar products and possibly confusing Buzztime customers that the Buzz! games are associated with Buzztime. Moreover, the lawsuit states that SCEE is guilty of "malicious, fraudulent, knowing, willful, and deliberate" violation of its trademarks. Buzztime is seeking money for damages, punitive damages, legal fees and is also asking for a recall on SCEE's infringing products. Buzztime also has requested that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office not register SCEE's pending trademarks.