Nintendo applies to trademark the Mario Coin sound effect

It’s one of the most iconic sound effects in a video game, but strangely, Nintendo has never trademarked the “Mario Coin” chime. More than 30 years after the original Super Mario Bros. release, the company is making moves to do just that.

According to Yahoo News Japan, Nintendo filed for the trademark back in February, and the application was made public just a few days earlier on March 22.

Just beware, if you use the chime in a podcast or your upcoming indie game, it might be time to find a new sound effect. Nintendo has proven relentless when it comes to making sure its property doesn’t get misused, or used at all, really. Once this application is approved, and we assume it will be, you might start finding offenders de-listed.

Then one has to wonder if it has trademarked the Super Mario Bros. “Game Over” tune.