Lately, most of the information fans have gotten about Elden Ring have come largely from unverified sources, rumors, and leaks. Since the game's surprising reveal at the Microsoft E3 Press Conference in 2019, From Software has gone fairly silent on what fans can expect from the highly anticipated title. While fans continue to eagerly await any scrap of news, the reason behind the lack of consistent updates may be related more to legal issues than a development one.

Following its E3 reveal, publisher Bandai Namco applied for a trademark for Elden Ring with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on June 18, 2019, a typical step for any company. After a lengthy wait, the USPTO ultimately rejected the application this past February. Unfortunately, the reasoning wasn't provided, leaving most people to speculate that there is some sort of existing trademark dispute or an error that held things up.

RELATED: Elden Ring May Bring Back Classes, Here's How

Not wanting to waste any more time, the company refiled in March and was published for opposition nearly a month later. What this phase means is that from the publish date of April 14, anyone who wants to oppose the trademark had 30 days to do so. Considering its now June, no complaints were submitted which allows the trademark to move on to the next step. Unfortunately, this means Bandai Namco is forced to wait another 11 weeks in order to get a notice of allowance from the USPTO.

From there, the process remains a bit of a slog as Bandai Namco has 6 months to either file the statement of use or request an extension. The Statement of Use is for trademarks that are going to be used in commerce and is basically evidence that shows the product marked with the brand is being sold or invoiced to the buyer. This could include something like open the game up for pre-orders among other potential options.

The delay in getting the trademark likely pushed the company's planned marketing timeline back quite a bit. Without the trademark secured, Bandai Namco was probably forced into postponing its reveal plans just in case the worst case scenario occurred where it ultimately couldn't secure the trademark and may have had to make alternative plans. As it stands, Elden Ring can still make a 2020 release though Bandai Namco would likely have to use one of its five possible 6 month extensions otherwise the trademark will be canceled if the statement of use is not supplied in time.

It's been a long and difficult wait for fans who are eagerly anticipating the collaboration between George R.R. Martin and From Software. While the legal side of things is less murky than it was a few months ago, many are hoping for additional information to expand upon what has already been mentioned. Things like the fact that Elden Ring is the largest game From Software has made to date, the stronger focus on RPG elements, and how the narrative will tie everything together.

Elden Ring is in development for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions also rumored to be in production.

MORE: Elden Ring: 5 Confirmed Facts (& 5 Likely Rumors)

Source: RespawnFirst; USPTO