# Shark Bait / Sharkbait — Domain & Name Availability Research

**Date:** July 9, 2026
**Project:** Research availability of "Shark Bait" / "Sharkbait" as a game name and domain
**Method:** This is a worked example of the brand-name-availability-research skill

---

## 1. USPTO Trademark Search

### "SHARK BAIT" — Computer Program (Class 9 — Software)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Serial Number** | 78154729 |
| **Registration Number** | 2729288 |
| **Filed** | Aug 15, 2002 |
| **Registered** | Jun 24, 2003 |
| **Status** | **DEAD — Cancelled** (Jan 31, 2010) |
| **Reason** | Registrant did not file Section 8 declaration |
| **Goods/Services** | Computer program for analyzing real estate related data (NOT games) |
| **Link** | https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=78154729 |

**Verdict: No conflict.** Dead/cancelled, and was never for games/entertainment.

### Other "SHARK BAIT" / "SHARKBAIT" Trademarks (non-game)
| Mark | SN | Goods | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARK BAIT | 85098948 | Clothing (shirts, hats, swimwear, etc.) | Dead (estimated — no Class 9/41) |
| SHARK BAIT SUPPLY CO. | 87716475 | Clothing | Unknown |
| SHARK BAIT | 75511495 | Decals | Dead |

**No LIVE/ACTIVE trademark for "SHARK BAIT" or "SHARKBAIT" was found in the game-related classes:**
- **Class 9:** Downloadable computer game software, video game software
- **Class 41:** Entertainment services, providing online games

### Trademark Risk Assessment
- **Risk: LOW** — No active game-related trademark for either name
- A new "SHARK BAIT" trademark for a game could be filed with the USPTO
- Existing dead marks in unrelated classes (clothing, real estate) do not pose a conflict

---

## 2. Existing Games Named "Shark Bait" or Similar

### 2a. "Shark Bait" — Mobile Dating Sim (Dorian app)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Platform** | Dorian app (iOS & Android on Google Play) |
| **Developer** | RoseMagpie (Robin Pendragon) |
| **Type** | Visual novel / dating sim with shark gods |
| **Release** | 2023 |
| **IMDb** | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35046178/ |
| **TikTok** | @rosemagpiestudios |
| **Similarity** | **Exact match** — "Shark Bait" |
| **Risk** | **HIGH** — A published game already uses this exact name on iOS/Android |
| **Sequel** | "Shark Bait: Riptide" exists (doesn't seem trademarked either) |

### 2b. "Captain Sharkbait: Voyage for Treasure" — Steam
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Platform** | Steam (App ID 4085510) |
| **Developer** | Dylan Gray / Extra Pickle Studios |
| **Type** | 3D platformer |
| **Release** | Nov 4, 2025 |
| **Similarity** | **Close** — includes "Sharkbait" in the full title but is a character name |
| **Risk** | **MEDIUM** — Uses "Sharkbait" as part of the full name, not the standalone game title |

### 2c. "SharkBait" — VR Game (Meta Quest)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Platform** | Meta Quest store |
| **Developer** | Alt Lab VR |
| **Type** | Spearfishing VR |
| **Similarity** | **Exact match** (single word) |
| **Risk** | **MEDIUM** — VR-only, different platform from typical mobile/PC games |
| **Link** | https://www.altlabvr.com/sharkbait |

### 2d. "Shark Bait" — Unit in Clash Mini (Supercell)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Game** | Clash Mini (mobile) |
| **Developer** | Supercell |
| **Similarity** | **Exact match** — a character/unit name, not the game title |
| **Risk** | **LOW** — Character within a larger game, not a standalone game |

### 2e. "Sharkbait" — Weapon in Borderlands 4
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Game** | Borderlands 4 |
| **Developer** | Gearbox / 2K Games |
| **Similarity** | **Exact match** — weapon name, not game title |
| **Risk** | **LOW** — Named item, not a game |

### 2f. "Shark Bait" — Board Game (Melissa & Doug)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Type** | Children's board game (touch-and-feel with plush shark) |
| **Retailer** | Walmart, Amazon |
| **Similarity** | **Exact match** |
| **Risk** | **MEDIUM** — Physical board game, different market from digital games |

### 2g. "Shark Bait" — Other uses in gaming
| Context | Game | Type | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Shark Bait" | Raft | In-game item/tool | LOW |
| "Shark Bait" | The Jackbox Party Pack 2 | Achievement name | LOW |
| "Shark Bait" | Gambillion | Achievement name | LOW |
| "Shark Bait" | Snake 3D Adventures | Achievement name | LOW |
| "Shark Bait" | Shark Tale (2004) | Level/chapter name | LOW |
| "Shark Bait" | Persuasive Games Bogost | Flash advergame (2000s) | LOW |

---

## 3. Domain Availability

### Summary Table

| Domain | Available? | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| **sharkbait.com** | **NO** ❌ | Taken (GoDaddy) | Apparel brand site; registered 1996, expires Sep 23, 2027 |
| **sharkbaitgame.com** | **YES** ✅ | Available | Best option |
| **sharkbattleague.com** | **YES** ✅ | Available | Odd mashup; only if "Shark Bait League" is intended |
| **sharkbaits.com** | **NO** ❌ | Taken (GoDaddy) | Registered May 2021, expires May 19, 2027 — likely parked |
| **playsharkbait.com** | **YES** ✅ | Available | Good secondary option |

### Domain Details

#### sharkbait.com — TAKEN
- **Registrar:** GoDaddy.com, LLC
- **Created:** 1996-09-23
- **Expires:** 2027-09-23
- **Nameservers:** NS41.DOMAINCONTROL.COM, NS42.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
- **Use:** Shark Bait Apparel (clothing brand)
- **Acquisition:** Would likely require purchase from owner; backorder at expiry possible but unlikely

#### sharkbaitgame.com — AVAILABLE
- Best option for a game-specific domain
- Clean, descriptive, memorable
- **Estimated cost:** ~$10-12/year at standard registrars

#### sharkbattleague.com — AVAILABLE
- Only useful if you want "Shark Bait League" branding
- Similarity to "sharkbattleague" is high, which could be confusing

#### sharkbaits.com — TAKEN
- **Created:** 2021-05-19
- **Expires:** 2027-05-19
- **Status:** Parked (likely squatted)
- **Note:** Could attempt to purchase, but the plural form is less desirable

#### playsharkbait.com — AVAILABLE
- Good secondary/redirect option
- **Estimated cost:** ~$10-12/year

---

## 4. Recommendations

### Domain Priority (Grab immediately)

| Priority | Domain | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| **1st** | **sharkbaitgame.com** | Available, descriptive, perfect for a game |
| **2nd** | **playsharkbait.com** | Available, good action-oriented name |
| **3rd** | **sharkbattleague.com** | Only if league/battle branding is relevant |

### Estimated Annual Domain Costs
- New registrations: ~$10-12/year each at standard registrars (Namecheap, Cloudflare, Porkbun)
- Cloudflare is recommended for at-cost pricing (~$8-9/year)
- Avoid GoDaddy for new registrations due to high renewal prices

### Trademark Recommendations
- **No legal obstacles** to using "Shark Bait" or "Sharkbait" as a game name
- The existing "Shark Bait" mobile dating sim (RoseMagpie/Dorian) is the primary conflict — it uses the exact name and is actively marketed
- Recommend strongly considering a more distinctive name to avoid confusion with the existing "Shark Bait" mobile dating sim (which has ~2 years of market presence)
- If proceeding, **file a US trademark application** in Classes 9 and 41 as early as possible

### Risk Summary by Name Variant

| Name | Main Conflict | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| **"Shark Bait"** | Mobile dating sim (RoseMagpie/Dorian, 2023) and Melissa & Doug board game | **HIGH** |
| **"Sharkbait"** | VR game (Alt Lab VR, Meta Quest); weapon in Borderlands 4 | **MEDIUM** |
| **"Captain Sharkbait"** | Steam game (2025) | **MEDIUM** |
| **A more distinctive name** | None | **LOW** |

---

## 5. Sources

- USPTO TSDR: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/ (SN 78154729)
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35046178/ ("Shark Bait" dating sim)
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4085510/ ("Captain Sharkbait: Voyage for Treasure")
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dorian.playtogether (Dorian app)
- Alt Lab VR: https://www.altlabvr.com/sharkbait
- Clash Mini Wiki: https://clashmini.fandom.com/wiki/Shark_Bait
- Borderlands Wiki: https://borderlands.fandom.com/wiki/Sharkbait
- WHOIS query via terminal (sharkbait.com, sharkbaitgame.com, sharkbattleague.com, sharkbaits.com, playsharkbait.com)
- Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Melissa-Doug-Shark-Bait/50389618
