• Mojang Being Sued by Patent Trolls over "Mindcraft"
    35 replies, posted
[quote]Texas-based tech-patent collector Uniloc has filed suit against Mojang, claiming that the Android version of "Mindcraft," (seriously, that's what it says in the filing), infringes upon Patent #6,857,067, "System and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Specifically, the filing references claim 107 of the patent, which covers a "Computer code executable on an electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to electronic data stored on the electronic device." Yup, Mindcraft. "Unfortunately for them, they're suing us over a software patent. If needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent," Notch said on Twitter this morning. "Software patents are plain evil. Innovation within software is basically free, and it's growing incredibly rapid. Patents only slow it down." - Markus "Notch" Persson Uniloc is seeking damages compounded by both pre and post-judgment interest, as well as ongoing royalties from Mojang. This should be a good one. [/quote] [url]http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/21/uniloc-sues-mojang-over-alleged-patent-infringement-in-android-v/[/url] [url=http://notch.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mojang.pdf]PDF of filing[/url]
The suit is most likely void on the basis that they're suing over a nonexistent game. Notch's lawyers could have it thrown out on a technicality....hell I wouldn't be surprised if they try exactly that.
[QUOTE=TestECull;36874368]The suit is most likely void on the basis that they're suing over a nonexistent game. Notch's lawyers could have it thrown out on a technicality....hell I wouldn't be surprised if they try exactly that.[/QUOTE] Even Garry himself said that though he's not a lawyer, he'd ignore it too.
I still can't stop giggling every time I read the main attorney's name. "Barry J. Bumgardner"
[QUOTE=TestECull;36874368]The suit is most likely void on the basis that they're suing over a nonexistent game. Notch's lawyers could have it thrown out on a technicality....hell I wouldn't be surprised if they try exactly that.[/QUOTE] If anything it proves that Uniloc didn't research enough to even know the title of the property being brought to attention. That's an obvious sign that there's no real base.
"System and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Specifically, the filing references claim 107 of the patent, which covers a "Computer code executable on an electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to electronic data stored on the electronic device." yea im sure they invented that.. how vauge can you get
[QUOTE=ac/14;36874519]"System and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Specifically, the filing references claim 107 of the patent, which covers a "Computer code executable on an electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to electronic data stored on the electronic device." yea im sure they invented that.. how vauge can you get[/QUOTE] Lets see, what does this that is in my room right now... Cellphone, directv box, tv, computer, even my flashdrive has a password on it.
[QUOTE=ac/14;36874519]"System and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Specifically, the filing references claim 107 of the patent, which covers a "Computer code executable on an electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to electronic data stored on the electronic device." yea im sure they invented that.. how vauge can you get[/QUOTE] That's just an outline, the actual patent (normally) has it in more depth.
[QUOTE=TestECull;36874368]The suit is most likely void on the basis that they're suing over a nonexistent game. Notch's lawyers could have it thrown out on a technicality....hell I wouldn't be surprised if they try exactly that.[/QUOTE] [img]http://i46.tinypic.com/2nrq2ag.png[/img] Not exactly void, he only names "Mindcraft" as one example.
[URL]http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,857,067.PN.&OS=PN/6,857,067&RS=PN/6,857,067[/URL] Basically they patented an auto update system that first verifies if you own the software license. So basically steam is infringing upon this as well likely. And if I interpreted this correctly, a login system that verifies the user?
[QUOTE=Forumaster;36874349][B]Texas-based[/B] tech-patent collector Uniloc[/QUOTE] Why is that not surprising? I love living in Texas but common.
[QUOTE=Datsun;36874671]Why is that not surprising? I love living in Texas but [b]common.[/b][/QUOTE] Why is that not surprising? I love living in Texas as well but come on.
Why is it that everybody knows software patents are bullshit, except they're still here?
[QUOTE=Jookia;36874735]Why is it that everybody knows software patents are bullshit, except they're still here?[/QUOTE] Because the people who owns the patents benefits from them thus they make sure they stay.
Software patents shouldn't even exist to begin with, it's literally impossible to NOT infringe upon something!
[QUOTE]require communication with a server to perform a license check to prevent the unauthorized use of said application[/QUOTE] Another ridiculously dated patent that the market rolled over before it was actually issued.
[QUOTE=DudeGuyKT;36874702]Why is that not surprising? I love living in Texas as well but come on.[/QUOTE] I really should do something about my grammar.
[QUOTE=deadoon;36874647][URL]http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,857,067.PN.&OS=PN/6,857,067&RS=PN/6,857,067[/URL] Basically they patented an auto update system that first verifies if you own the software license. So basically steam is infringing upon this as well likely.[/QUOTE] Welcome to software patents. Who gives a fuck if a million other products already have it? The only one infringing it is the one you want to sue.
[quote] If needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent [/quote] glad to see the money he got from minecraft pre-release purchases is being put to good use.
[QUOTE=Datsun;36874828]I really should do something about my grammar.[/QUOTE] That's spelling, not grammar.
[QUOTE=DrLuke;36874586][img]http://i46.tinypic.com/2nrq2ag.png[/img] Not exactly void, he only names "Mindcraft" as one example.[/QUOTE] Most importantly, "[...] contact a server to perform a license check to prevent the unauthorized use of said application" applies to, well... literally every single application that involves a license check. Why patents like this are granted? Who knows.
"Umm, your honor? This lawsuit references a product we have never heard of, and do not offer." "Case dismissed!"
And I though the lawsuits against Samsung/Motorola/any company related to Google's Android OS relating to Apple's patent trolling was stupid.
[QUOTE=icantread49;36874945]Most importantly, "[...] contact a server to perform a license check to prevent the unauthorized use of said application" applies to, well... literally every single application that involves a license check. Why patents like this are granted? Who knows.[/QUOTE] I don't know if they would still approve something like this today, but it was filed back in 2001 when they were even less conscious about what would happen to software innovation. This is the case with many of Apple's patents as well.
Patents just suck. They really just suck.
Uniloc filed against EA's Bejewelled2 for the same thing.
Mindcraft? I'm pretty sure it's Minecraft unless I'm missing something.
[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;36876944]Mindcraft? I'm pretty sure it's Minecraft unless I'm missing something.[/QUOTE] They are suing minecraft for what appears to be having a password system. But they couldn't even spell minecraft right. Thats what I got from the op.
From what I've gathered, this is aimed at the Android-version of Minecraft, specifically relating to the licensing check done that checks you actually own the game. The troll is just too scared to attack Google directly.
Well, I guess it's time for a good old Quake 3 challenge again.
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