The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is contesting a mandate from the US Patent Office that compels applicants to disclose their addresses

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and YouTube content creator Youna 'CodeMiko' Kang have taken legal action against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over a recent mandate requiring personal home addresses during trademark submissions.

Represented by Odin Law and Media, they submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, arguing that this mandate "unnecessarily exposes applicants [...] to risks of harassment and invasion of privacy" and overlooks essential procedures for public input in rule-making.

The brief underscores the risks to privacy for small business owners, developers, and social media influencers who typically use their home address as their business address. This increases worries about safety, particularly concerning the threat of doxing.

"In the digital era, balancing transparency with personal information protection is crucial," stated Jakin Vela, executive director of IGDA. "Forcing the disclosure of home addresses without protective measures fails to account for the specific dangers faced by digital creators, like game developers who are especially susceptible to doxing and other harassment."

Brandon J. Huffan, founding attorney of Odin Law and Media, emphasized: "This situation exposes a significant oversight in providing adequate notice or seeking meaningful feedback from those most impacted by the regulations, especially in the digital entertainment and game development sectors where privacy issues are a major concern."