Sony renamed the PlayStation Vita TV simply "PlayStation TV" for the launch in Europe and in the US, in order to better position the micro-console as a product that will offer a wide range of PlayStation content on the TV, and not just as a spin-off of the PS Vita.

Today the Japanese Patent and Trademark Office published a trademark filed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Asia for "PlayStation TV."

Considering that the console is still currently being sold as "PlayStation Vita TV" in Japan, this could indicate the intention to fully rebrand it as "PlayStation TV" worldwide, including Japan. After good initial sales the Vita TV hasn't exactly been selling like hotcakes in the archipelago of the rising sun, so Sony may be looking into the possibility of a relaunch, possibly together with the new black color.

We'll have to wait and see what Sony's intentions are on this front. Something like this could possibly be announced at Tokyo Game Show in September.