With the launch of the PlayStation 5, Sony hasn't been particularly experimental. The popularity of the PlayStation 4 allowed Sony to sustain its platform without needing to take many risks. Rather, it's able to invest in its strengths, like major PlayStation exclusives. However, an older trademark recently filed for renewal by Sony has some recalling a PlayStation 3-era oddity and questioning whether it could return. The trademark that was renewed is for PlayStation Home.
The PlayStation Home trademark was renewed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. It was originally approved of and published in 2009, so it has been around for a very long time, and the renewal will sustain the trademark with the EU through a new expiration date of January 1, 2028. The trademark shows no evidence of having lapsed between 2009 and now, meaning Sony has maintained it through PlayStation Home's lifespan on PS3 and through the PS4 era even after PlayStation Home was shut down in 2015.
There's no evidence at hand that Sony plans to resurrect PlayStation Home. Companies maintain trademarks for all manner of things that have had value, could still be useful, or even that the company is afraid will be misused by others. That doesn't mean Sony can't reuse the term, of course. It's certainly possible that Sony could decide to rerelease or remake PlayStation Home, or even repurpose the trademark for some other service.
PlayStation Home, for those who aren't familiar, was an online multiplayer experience that was free on the PlayStation 3. Players created a custom avatar and joined in PlayStation Home's instanced social area. These areas included various advertisements and mini-games, as well as played host to assorted events. For the most part, however, PlayStation Home users joined to socialize with other people through chats and emotes.
Social spaces like PlayStation Home seem like a constant consideration for console makers. Xbox has flirted with social functionality for its avatar system through previous generations, but never fully dedicated to it. Nintendo's Wii U Miiverse was a curious experiment, but it was also ultimately was left behind. It wouldn't be a surprise for PlayStation or another platform to revisit the idea.
For the time being, PlayStation Home returning is not a confirmed reality, and there's no real indication that will change in the near or far future. Still, Sony renewing a trademark for PlayStation Home at least keeps the possibility of its return open. Otherwise, it's an opportunity for nostalgic PlayStation Home users to recall the long-retired service.