GTA 6: WWE Drops 'Vice City' Trademark Bid

WWE Made a Play for 'Vice City'

In an unexpected legal footnote ahead of GTA 6's November 2026 launch, professional wrestling giant WWE filed to trademark the phrase 'Vice City' — only to abandon the attempt shortly after. The move caught the attention of gaming and legal observers alike, given how closely the term is associated with Rockstar's long-running Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Why Does This Matter for GTA 6?

Rockstar and Take-Two have historically guarded their Vice City branding carefully, and GTA 6 is confirmed to be set in a fictional version of Miami heavily inspired by that iconic location. A successful third-party trademark on 'Vice City' — even from a major entertainment brand like WWE — could theoretically have created complications around marketing, merchandise, or branding tied to the game's setting.

That said, it's worth noting:

• WWE ultimately abandoned the filing, so no conflict materialised.
• Trademark disputes in entertainment are common and rarely affect game releases directly.
• Take-Two's own legal team is well-resourced and experienced in protecting its IP.

It's unclear what WWE's original intentions were — whether for a game, an event, or another product — but the timing relative to GTA 6's release window made it an eyebrow-raising move.

What Happens Next?

With the trademark abandoned, there's no known obstacle to Rockstar freely using Vice City branding in its upcoming marketing push. Fans can expect Rockstar and Take-Two to continue building hype around GTA 6's setting as the November 19, 2026 release date approaches. This small legal episode is essentially a non-story in practical terms — but it does highlight just how valuable the Vice City name has become in popular culture.