Digital Chocolate claims it created Mafia Wars name, files lawsuit against Zynga

Mafia Wars, a game about showdowns between crime families, is now the subject of a real legal showdown.

Digital Chocolate, the social gaming company headed by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, is saying it created the name Mafia Wars. Venture Beat reports on the conflict, which is sure to get mob battle ugly.

Digital Chocolate makes mobile games as well as casual browser-based games and did have a mobile called Mafia Wars that didn’t catch on. In contrast, Zynga’s Mafia Wars is one of the most popular games on Facebook with 27.8 million active users.

As part of its suit, Digital Chocolate said it informed Zynga of the problem and has asked Zynga to stop using the Mafia Wars name. Facebook faithful will note that hasn’t happened.

In a statement responding to the suit, Zynga said it is “surprised and disappointed” by the suit and will defend itself vigorously.

Read [Venture Beat] Also Read [Game Politics]