The trademark application (via ) was filed September 29 with the European Union's Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market (OHIM).

It covers "computer game software; electronic game software, downloadable game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; and video game software," among other things.

A Valve representative was not immediately available to comment regarding what this news may mean for the future of Half-Life. A trademark application does not necessarily indicate that Half-Life 3 is in development.

Last week, Valve announced .

In August, Half-Life series voice actor John Patrick Lowrie said , though he admitted he has "no idea" what Valve may be planning in the future.

Last April, Valve boss Gabe Newell said the studio had gone through numerous "" to bring Half-Life 3 to market. He explained that Valve's silence is in the best interest of gamers because elaborating on the game's development "would probably drive people more crazy."

The most recent Half-Life game was 2007's Half-Life 2: Episode Two. That game advances the story of previous entries Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. A third episode was planned, but has not seen the light of day.

A was recently spotted in a Valve project tracker.