• Sony, Turbine, Jagex, Activision-Blizzard, and NCsoft being sued
    115 replies, posted
[quote=massively.com]It seems to be a World of Lawsuits (TM) recently in our industry. Bloggers are being sued for libel, NCsoft is being sued for patent infringement, Linden Labs is being sued for trademark violations, Turbine is suing Atari, and now five companies are all being sued over a patent dispute. The Boston Globe has reported that Paltalk Holdings Inc. has filed a complaint in Texas against Sony Corp., Activision Blizzard Inc., Turbine Inc., NCsoft Corp., and Jagex Ltd. all for games that violate their patent on computers sharing data so that all users can see the same virtual environment. The games in question are EverQuest, World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Guild Wars, and RuneScape (in order of the companies as named above.) What makes this lawsuit different from the standard patent shakedowns that we've been reporting on is that the patent has already been successfully used in court. Paltalk has already sued, and won against, Microsoft. In 2006, the company sued Microsoft over the multiplayer features included in Halo series. Microsoft took the suit to court, but ended up settling with Paltalk in mid-trial by paying an undisclosed sum of money. This win gives the lawsuit more legs to stand on, hence why Paltalk is now going after all of the industry bigwigs, including Activision Blizzard. If you're confused as to how Microsoft settling to Paltalk gives them more credibility in court, it's because Microsoft's bow lends credit to the validity of the patents. This prior case can be used in court, making the suit hard to defend against. Turbine and NCsoft, as stated before, are also already involved in suits of their own, making legal defense trickier for these two companies.[/quote] Apparently Paltalk Holdings Inc. made a patent of their type of computer data sharing that allow all users to see the same environments. They've filed claims that the Sony, Turbine, Jagex, Blizzard, and NCsoft have infringed on their patent in the games EverQuest, LOTR online, Runescape, World of Warcraft, and Guild Wars. In 2006 the same company sued Microsoft and won. (Microsoft settled with them. Amount undisclosed.) I doubt it'll be a big hit to Blizzard or Sony, but I'm not sure about the other companies. [url]http://www.massively.com/2009/09/16/sony-turbine-jagex-blizzard-and-ncsoft-named-in-patent-infri/[/url] [url]http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/09/16/westwoods_turbine_inc_named_in_patent_infringement_lawsuit/[/url] From the Boston Globe on Turbine, since it's based in Westwood, MA
All those companies deserve it. Runescape can die, maplestory can die, what the fuck is turbine, etc. Except maybe sony and activision because I want MW2
In 2003 I said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could play games without a controller?" and then the Wii came along, where's my money (Rate me dumb if you think this joke is fucking hilarious)
This patent appears to be "a multiplayer game". Not good news for anyone, and yet again a reason why software parents should not be allowed.
[QUOTE=smurfy;17357310]In 2003 I said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could play games without a controller?" and then the Wii came along, where's my money[/QUOTE] What a pathetic joke
I don't really know what to say about this, don't care about runsecape. It can die for all I care but the others I'm not so sure.
Lol, so everyone has gone around using Paltalk's system, making MMORPG's with it and now Paltalk strikes back? Awesome :v: [editline]11:21PM[/editline] Though I'm wondering why they didn't sue Valve...
Wait , so that company is suing the others because apparently having all users see the same thing is their idea? Intellectual ownership my ass
[QUOTE=Latias;17357308]All those companies deserve it. Runescape can die, maplestory can die, what the fuck is turbine, etc. Except maybe sony and activision because I want MW2[/QUOTE] That's retarded. They don't deserve to get sued because you want one of their games?
[QUOTE=Zycos;17357396]That's retarded. They don't deserve to get sued because you want one of their games?[/QUOTE] You saying you don't want MW2
A better question would be, why the fuck wouldn't they speak up earlier? There were hundreds of multiplayer games released over the last 10 YEARS, you think they would have done something before now. I think that you should have 2 years to file a court complaint about copyright issues, then your arguements are invalid.
[QUOTE=Schmaaa;17357451]A better question would be, why the fuck wouldn't they speak up earlier? There were hundreds of multiplayer games released over the last 10 YEARS, you think they would have done something before now. I think that you should have 2 years to file a court complaint about copyright issues, then your arguements are invalid.[/QUOTE] Because they were waiting for everyone to start using their system, and then sue for ludicrous amounts of cash.
[QUOTE=Schmaaa;17357451]A better question would be, why the fuck wouldn't they speak up earlier? There were hundreds of multiplayer games released over the last 10 YEARS, you think they would have done something before now. I think that you should have 2 years to file a court complaint about copyright issues, then your arguements are invalid.[/QUOTE] Because the bigger the company the more money they can get. You also don't just build a case over night., takes lots of time and preparation.
I hate copanies that patent something obscure and don't do a thing with the patent until another company comes along, makes something similar and everybody likes it, then they spring their patent-trap. If you patent something, make the damn thing.
i put a patent in for holograms and smellovision in 30 years im suing everything
[QUOTE=IceCKryss;17357519]I hate copanies that patent something obscure[/QUOTE] So obscure that many many multiplayer games use it. Tard.
Might start patenting things myself.. "games with the letter B"...
I hereby think of an awesome game, Now I can sue :dance:
I hope they win against Jagex and Blizzard. All the others are fine.
This is fucking retarded. hurf durf u maek internet games patent violation i sue
I'll just go ahead and patent singleplayer games. That'll teach them to steal my ideas!
Isn't that patent waaaaaaaaaay to general? They could sue pretty much everyone that has ever made a multiplayer game for this.
[QUOTE=smurfy;17357310]In 2003 I said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could play games without a controller?" and then the Wii came along, where's my money[/QUOTE] The Wii has a controller. Are you dumb?
Might be time to file that patent for online discussion; I'll teach you all for emailing, instant messaging, and forum hosting without my permission!
[QUOTE=BAZ;17357531]i put a patent in for holograms and smellovision in 30 years im suing everything[/QUOTE] Thought patents only lasted for 14 years........... EDIT: whoops, a little longer. 20 years. [url]http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/whatis.htm[/url]
[QUOTE=Latias;17357421]You saying you don't want MW2[/QUOTE] I already have COD4.
NCsofts in a bit of a stitch then, with Aion being released soon for the US and Europe it could put a large hit onto them. Also this is bullshit, money making schemes like this should be removed.
[QUOTE=IceCKryss;17357519]I hate copanies that patent something obscure and don't do a thing with the patent until another company comes along, makes something similar and everybody likes it, then they spring their patent-trap. If you patent something, make the damn thing.[/QUOTE] I agree. If someone sues a company because they made something similar to their patent, they should show that they made, or are making, a good attempt to create a product with the patent.
[QUOTE=cornndog;17357797]I already have COD4.[/QUOTE] Derp. MW2 is the 6th installment in the series...
[QUOTE=smurfy;17357310]In 2003 I said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could play games without a controller?" and then the Wii came along, where's my money[/QUOTE] you've missed the point...its a patent, they didnt just SAY that it belonged to them...fail joke and on topic: these guys are shameless money grabbers, kudos
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