Bethesda Says Mojang's Scrolls Infringes on Elder Scrolls Mark

[GonzoGamer]

Im looking forward to Mojangs next Project 'The Oldest parchment: airledge'

Or what about Radioactive Dust Tri...or would they get sued by Bethesda and Capcom for that?

This is hilarious, because nobody had ever heard of a Scroll being involved in fantasy until Bethesda came around.

I really liked Fallout 3 but it seems like everything they've done since then is an attempt to make me hate them.

 

[CorvusFerreum]

This is just.... wow.

Meh, It will be crushed in court anyway. But hey, at least it's free publicity for both partys.

In other news: DC sues CryTek over Crysis franchise...

 

[Slick Samurai]

If this is indeed an infringement then Bethesda is well within their right to sue the pants off of "Mojang". The idea that the creator of MineCraft gets the crap legally beaten out of him only makes it that much sweeter.

 

[BgRdMchne]

Seems frivolous.
As far as I know, Mojang hasn't even published a Mark for Scrolls, yet.
Unless there is significant similarity in story, gameplay, setting, or characters, or unless Mojang publishes a Mark that is in the same style and font as Elder Scrolls' Mark or there is actual consumer confusion between the two games, I don't think they have a case.

For a quick lesson on TM Law, read Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., 746 F.2d 112 (1984). (TM infringement lawsuit over "Donkey Kong")

 

[Stall]

This is pathetic. I've always known Bethesda is a pretty crap dev and publisher, but this is just bad. What little respect I had for Bethesda is gone. "Scrolls" is an infringement on "Elder's Scrolls"? I didn't know they invented the world "scrolls". Why don't they just start suing anyone who dares to use the word "THE" in the title of their game while they're at it? Fuck Bethesda.

This reeks of ulterior motives, which is pretty sad when such a large publisher has to pick on a indie studio.

 

[Archemetis]

'The word Scrolls and the word Scrolls sound incredibly similar.'

That must be the majority of the lawyers thinking in this situation.

Because I highly doubt that any other thought could have gone into this.

I mean, not meaning to repeat anyone elses posts here, but didn't we all learn this lesson with Langdell?

 

[sunburst]

Why do people think this was just some lawyer acting alone? Legal bullying via dubious claims is rapidly becoming Bethesda's "thing."

Seems that every time I put a company on my Do Not Buy list, they endeavor to continually convince me I was right. It's kinda reassuring.

 

[luvd1]

Bethesda. What happened to you man. You used to be cool.

 

[Ocealot]

Well I watched an interview between todd howard and Notch and they got on like a house on fire so 'Hopefully' it IS lawyers just being lawyers.

 

[kebab4you]

Im looking forward to Mojangs next Project 'The Oldest parchment: airledge'

Can't have that, it´s using "The" people might confuse it for "The Elder Scrolls"

Notch posted this up on his blog for a bit more story: http://notch.tumblr.com/post/8519901309/bethesda-are-suing-us-heres-the-full-story

 

[standokan]

I knew this before everyone because I follow Notch.

I'm hipster now.

 

[lacktheknack]

I hate him for being smug

Wat? Example, please?

and lazy,

Wat? Example, please? Oh wait, you can't. You've never seen Minecraft's source code.

coming out of left field with something many have done before him but profiting off it because people inexplicably pick it up and stuff money in his undeserving pockets?

Because he did it better. It's nigh-impossible to do something "original", it's now all about doing it better than everyone else. Which Notch has. Prove me wrong. And even if you give me an example of someone doing Minecraft better than Minecraft, I still can't think of Notch as "undeserving".

OT: What the hell, Bethesda? I was almost totally excited for Skyrim, and then you had to go and kill my enthusiasm with a lawsuit.

 

[theriddlen]

Well, if Bethesda wants to stay neutral in my mind they better think twice before trying to do something to Notch. I really want to buy New Vegas.

Why do people think this was just some lawyer acting alone? Legal bullying via dubious claims is rapidly becoming Bethesda's "thing."

Seems that every time I put a company on my Do Not Buy list, they endeavor to continually convince me I was right. It's kinda reassuring.

I've got the same situation with Activision. Whenever I even start to consider pulling them from my black list Kotick has to open his mouth.

 

[starwarsgeek]

Lawyers. Always doing their best to make the companies they represent look bad.

 

[lacktheknack]

I hate him for being smug

Wat? Example, please?

and lazy,

Wat? Example, please? Oh wait, you can't. You've never seen Minecraft's source code.

coming out of left field with something many have done before him but profiting off it because people inexplicably pick it up and stuff money in his undeserving pockets?

Because he did it better. It's nigh-impossible to do something "original", it's now all about doing it better than everyone else. Which Notch has. Prove me wrong. And even if you give me an example of someone doing Minecraft better than Minecraft, I still can't think of Notch as "undeserving".

OT: What the hell, Bethesda? I was almost totally excited for Skyrim, and then you had to go and kill my enthusiasm with a lawsuit.

Better question for you.
Why are you badgering me?
Are you so insecure you can't take an opinion - one shared by most of the "fandom" MineCraft has, but still... - ?
I have nothing to prove to you. Please be bored elsewhere.

Badgering? I only quoted you once...

Also, stunningly, this is supposed to be a DISCUSSION board. Discussion is not putting out your opinions and then saying "now leave me alone", it's putting out your opinions and backing them up. If you can't back up your opinions, they're worthless.

And no, I'm not insecure. Your dislike of Notch hasn't affected my opinion whatsoever, I just don't like seeing opinions left hanging.

 

[Outlaw Torn]

At least we now know where Tim Langdell works when he isn't not making games or getting obliterated in courtrooms.

 

[TeeBs]

I hate him for being smug

Wat? Example, please?

and lazy,

Wat? Example, please? Oh wait, you can't. You've never seen Minecraft's source code.

coming out of left field with something many have done before him but profiting off it because people inexplicably pick it up and stuff money in his undeserving pockets?

Because he did it better. It's nigh-impossible to do something "original", it's now all about doing it better than everyone else. Which Notch has. Prove me wrong. And even if you give me an example of someone doing Minecraft better than Minecraft, I still can't think of Notch as "undeserving".

OT: What the hell, Bethesda? I was almost totally excited for Skyrim, and then you had to go and kill my enthusiasm with a lawsuit.

Better question for you.
Why are you badgering me?
Are you so insecure you can't take an opinion - one shared by most of the "fandom" MineCraft has, but still... - ?
I have nothing to prove to you. Please be bored elsewhere.

Its a public forum, if you make a comment, and someone wants you to back it up, you can ignore it, or defend your position. If you have the inability to back up your statement, don't make it. Don't take the easy way out and coup out when someone challenges it.

 

[ItsAChiaotzu]

They have stupid lawyers ... assholes...

There is no other kind of lawyer than stupid lawyer assholes.

Uh, no, that's frankly the stupidest thing I've heard all day, congratulations.

Anyway, yeah this is kind of silly, it's possible that the Bethesda lawyers are obligated to contact any videogame company making a title with Scrolls in the name or something though.

 

[Amondren]

God Bethesda is sue happy they sue interplay and now Mojang. I love their games but trying to copyright words in their names is like suing someone for having the word elder and their are tons of games that do.