# Evidence that a Jaws Pinball Machine is in the Works?

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-04-05  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/evidence-that-a-jaws-pinball-machine-is-in-the-works

---

## Analysis

A Knapp Arcade article discusses evidence that Universal Studios may be developing a Jaws pinball machine, based on a March 1 trademark filing update that added 'Pinball Machines' to Universal's Jaws trademark. The article notes long-standing speculation about Stern producing a Jaws game and references prior trademark precedent through Zen Studios' virtual Jaws table. A self-identified trademark lawyer commenter suggests the filing under category 1B indicates serious intent to use the trademark on pinball machines.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Universal Studios updated its Jaws trademark on March 1 to include 'Pinball Machines' — _Article cites Pinside discussion with screenshot evidence of trademark filing_
- [MEDIUM] A self-identified trademark lawyer stated that 1B filings require actual intent to use the trademark on listed goods — _Anonymous commenter on Pinside; credibility unverified but specific legal claim made_
- [MEDIUM] Stern has been rumored for years to be developing a Jaws pinball machine — _Author's general industry knowledge; vague timeframe ('years')_
- [MEDIUM] Stern used 'Jaws' as internal codename for its Jurassic Park pinball machine — _Author describes this as Stern 'trolling'; specific example but no source cited_
- [HIGH] Zen Studios released a Jaws virtual pinball table for FX3 — _Author states as fact with reference to image of Zen Jaws playfield included in article_

### Notable Quotes

> "That Jaws filing is under 1B, which requires that they have an actual intent to use the trademark on the goods listed. It's a pretty strong indication there's a Jaws machine in the works."
> — **Anonymous trademark lawyer commenter on Pinside**
> _Legal interpretation providing credibility to the trademark filing as evidence of genuine machine development_

> "Yes Jaws is an old movie, but it's iconic. Everyone knows what Jaws is and instantantly hears the 'Dunna, Dunna Dunna, Dunna Dunna Dunna Dunna' Music in their head when they hear the name."
> — **Knapp Arcade author**
> _Pitch for why Jaws would be a strong IP choice for a pinball machine; cultural ubiquity argument_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Universal Studios | company | IP rights holder for Jaws; updated trademark filing in March to include pinball machines |
| Stern Pinball | company | Rumored manufacturer of potential Jaws pinball machine; has long-standing speculation about producing a Jaws game |
| Jaws | game | IP being investigated for pinball adaptation; iconic 1975 film property with strong cultural recognition |
| Zen Studios | company | Developed virtual Jaws pinball table for FX3 game; demonstrates Universal's openness to Jaws pinball licensing |
| Jurassic Park | game | Stern pinball machine that used 'Jaws' as internal development codename, per author |
| Pinside | organization | Pinball enthusiast forum where trademark discovery discussion originated |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Author's arcade/pinball blog; published analysis of Jaws trademark filing |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Licensing and IP availability, Upcoming game announcements and leaks
- **Secondary:** Stern Pinball product roadmap, Virtual pinball (Zen Studios)

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Author is optimistic about Jaws as a pinball IP choice and expresses enthusiasm ('I think that it has the potential to be a really cool pin'); tone is speculative and excited rather than skeptical

### Signals

- **[leak_detection]** Trademark filing update provides documentary evidence of IP holder considering pinball adaptation (confidence: high) — Universal Studios March 1 trademark update adding 'Pinball Machines' to Jaws filing, verified by screenshot on Pinside
- **[licensing_signal]** Universal demonstrating openness to Jaws pinball licensing through both historical Zen Studios deal and current trademark filing (confidence: high) — Zen FX3 Jaws virtual table already licensed; current trademark filing suggests expansion to physical pinball
- **[rumor_hype]** Long-standing community speculation about Stern producing Jaws machine gaining potential credibility from trademark evidence (confidence: medium) — Author notes 'talk for years' that Stern will make Jaws; Stern's use of 'Jaws' codename for Jurassic Park cited as evidence of Stern's interest in the property

---

## Transcript

I came across an interesting discussion on Pinside this morning. A user noticed that on March 1, Universal Studios updated its trademark for Jaws to include "Pinball Machines." Now I'm not a copyright lawyer, so I have no idea of whether it is common practice in the movie industry to just make blanket trademark statements for tons of different uses. However, someone in the discussion who actually claims to be one said the following about the below Trademark screenshot:

"That Jaws filing is under 1B, which requires that they have an actual intent to use the trademark on the goods listed. It’s a pretty strong indication there’s a Jaws machine in the works."

Very interesting. There has been talk for years that Stern Pinball is going to make a Jaws pinball machine. To the point that Stern even trolled people by using "Jaws" as its internal codename for its Jurassic Park pinball machine. Is this an indication that one may be coming from Stern soon? Time will tell. Several years ago Zen studios released a number of Universal Studios virtual pinball tables for its FX3 game, including one for Jaws. So clearly Universal is open to the idea.

I think that it has the potential to be a really cool pin. Yes Jaws is an old movie, but it's iconic. Everyone knows what Jaws is and instantantly hears the "Dunna, Dunna Dunna, Dunna" Music in their head when they hear the name. What do you think about a potential Jaws pinball machine from Stern? I'd love to hear others' thoughts.

A pic of the playfield for Zen's Jaws table on FX3

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

---

*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 54a809a2-81be-4042-ac1c-6c8f145756ea*