Electronic Arts Owns Mass Effect IP

I was always under the impression that BioWare passed up another Star Wars: KotOR because they wanted to own their own sci-fi IP, but that plan was apparently stomped after EA’s acquisition of the company. According to Joystiq:

…we’ve been wondering if Mass Effect 2 will be making its way to the PlayStation 3, like its dragon-infused brother, Dragon Age: Origins. So we asked BioWare’s Matt Atwood directly about the possibility of the game coming to PS3, to which he responded, “We’ve only announced 360 and PC. At this point we’re really focused on those platforms.”

We understand, Matt, but what about the intellectual property itself? Does EA own the Mass Effect name? “Yes. EA owns the rights to Mass Effect.”