Notch challenges Bethesda

[Beryl77]

Notch wrote in his blog that he wants to settle that lawsuit from Bethesda (read here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.305026-Bethesda-Says-Mojangs-Scrolls-Infringes-on-Elder-Scrolls-Mark] if you don't know what I'm talking about) with a match of Quake 3. Yep, you read right. He wants a 3vs3 with Bethesda's best Quake 3 players.
If Bethesda win, Notch will change the game's name. If Notch and his team win, Bethesda has to drop the lawsuit.

I don't know how serious he's about this even though he claims that he isn't joking but this would be awesome. Too bad that lawers are involved who'll probably never agree to this. But he does offer an alternative. He's offering Bethesda to write a disclaimer on the game which says that it isn't related to the TES games.
Whether Bethesda will agree to this or not, the offer is awesome in my opinion and I really wish they would have this showdown even if it's unlikely.

So, what do you think about his offer and who would you be rooting for, if they actually had this match?

link [http://notch.tumblr.com/] to his blog

 

[Truly-A-Lie]

It seems intentionally ridiculous, like he's meeting idiocy with idiocy to prove his point. And it's kind of awesome.
I don't get Bethesda's argument, to confuse a game called Scrolls with a game called The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an impressive feat of confusion, and even if people did get confused, I'm pretty sure their trademark is for The Elder Scrolls, not the word Scrolls itself.

 

[LookingGlass]

I would definitely watch the match. I bet they could set it up so that both sides get some advertising revenue out of it too.

 

[The Virgo]

It would be cool if Bethesda did go with the idea of the Quake match. It would show that they actually do have some class ... which they seem to have lost by suing him.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Dear Notch:

Livestream the battle. Now.

 

[rokkolpo]

Notch is a true gamer.

Balls of everlasting glory.

 

[Smasngrab]

live stream, and record for later, since not everyone got the time to wach stuff when it airs...

 

[Sixcess]

Bethesda should say yes to this, then they'll get out of this with a shred of dignity intact.

Really I hope Notch decides to fight them on this. If only to teach them that if you're going to bully an indie dev you don't pick on the one that now lives in a house made of money built on top of his private gold mountain.

 

[Horkeldorf]

If this does happen they need to stream it somewhere for all to watch.

 

[synobal]

If I was Bethesda I'd do it, as far as the gaming communities go it would be rather good PR.

 

[NinjaDuckie]

I'm trying hard to think of another ludicrous situation in which a single-word indie game title could be confused for a popular mainstream game that also contains that word... wait, here's one from last year.

Spoiler: Edge Games' lawsuit with Mirror's Edge.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.202317-Edge-Games-Sues-EA-Over-Mirrors-Edge

Can I copyright the word "lawsuit" and sue [company] every time they come out with one of these?

Common words in the English language are not copyrighted because that's stupid.

Notch's challenge is perfectly acceptable assuming the entire world has gone bananas now.

 

[Vrach]

Got a feeling Bethesda's gonna pull a Rob Stark on this one:
"If we do it your way Kingslayer, you win - we're not doing it your way."

Gotta agree though, awesome suggestion, albeit an easy one to make for an indie dev

 

[GigaHz]

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing were a publicity stunt to gain community awareness for Scrolls.

Call it a crazy theory but I'm thinking Notch knows someone in Bethesda who adores Minecraft. The Quake 3 match, regardless of outcome (calling it first, Notch's team will win) will expose many new people who weren't even aware of Scrolls to the game.

 

[gCrusher]

Bethesda doesn't have a leg to stand on, but I wouldn't mind seeing this follow through. Methinks they're counting on their name and resources to cow Notch.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

I find it ridiculous that this lawsuit was even filed. This is similar to the Edge bullshit a while back.

 

[Stall]

I'm glad to see that Notch is willing to stand up to Bethesda and not let their litigious bullying intimidate him. I doubt Bethesda will respond, as a Quake 3 match defeats the purpose of being a bully using the law, but it was worth a try at least (if that try was simply for a joke). I really hope Notch continues to fight this one.

 

[DustyDrB]

I thought everyone would have heard the explanation for why Bethesda has to sue. It's because of a broken copyright law. If they don't sue, then it could leave an opening for people to use the name "Elder Scrolls". They have to look like they are trying to protect their IP's name.

 

[k7avenger]

I thought they were suing not because they (bethesda) think scrolls is too familiar to the elder scrolls, but that if they don't defend it, they could lose the trademark due to poor copyright laws (seriously, look them up).

 

[roostuf]

Hang on let me get my popcorn!

I hope the two companies settle this in the end fairly.

 

[King Toasty]

I'm up for this. Todd Howard vs. Notch? Most awesome match.