Microsoft may have cancelled Scalebound , but it doesn't want to lose the trademark on its dragon-centric IP just yet, it seems.

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Despite canning the PlatinumGames project in January , as well removing any past mention of it from its web outlets , the publisher renewed its trademark on the name this month (spotted by Twitter user y2konya ) - despite seemingly being in no immediate danger of losing its registration.Predictably, speculation has emerged that the company will restart development with a new developer. However, it may be that the company simply wants to reserve the right to restart a new project under the same name in future (when a registration might have expired), or could simply be ensuring that no one begins a project under the same name with the hopes of using it after an expiration.Previously, some had taken Microsoft's cagey comments as to who owned the rights to the in-development game as an implication that Platinum could continue development with a different publisher. Even if that was the case, it would seem that the title would have to be changed.We have contacted Microsoft for comment.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's UK News Editor, and he has no idea how to feel about any of this. Just give him a dragon, guys. Follow him on Twitter