"Scrolls" Lawsuit Goes To Court
The original debate started when developer Mojang decided to make the working title of their new CCG-like game "Scrolls", which prompted software publisher Bethesda Softworks to respond, citing potential confusion between Mojang's Scrolls and their own Elder Scrolls franchise.
Some time into the proceedings, Notch offered to settle the dispute with a friendly game of Quake 3, a challenge which was not answered. The proposed solution was intended to ease any potential PR incidents, and provide an amicable solution to the dispute. The challenge went unanswered, and legal proceedings continued unabated.
Money changes everyone, not saying it has to him but it can turn the honest of men into ravaging lunatics.
But that's the thing, Notch doesn't have THAT much money and there's no indication he ever tried to weasel his way into Zenimax's pockets. All we have is a one page article off Kotaku by someone who knows as much about the situation (and trademark law) as the rest of us (i.e. none). The idea that a game called "Scrolls" might be confused with "The Elder Scrolls" is a little ridiculous, especially when the two are (from what we've heard) entirely different types of games. Even people who have had their head in the sand for the last 20 years have enough to go on to say "there's a definite chance these are two different things".
I think Some Zenimax lawyers somewhere decided that the system would allow there to be a brand dispute, went to enforce their brand, Notch responded in an unprofessional way (which is not exactly a bad thing, considering the frivolous nature of the claim) and some Kotaku writer blew things out of proportion.
On one hand you have research and on the other you have statements made by one person--who is probably not giving the whole story.
As for your opinion. Oblivion is nothing compared to Morrowind--Oblivion is like morrowind lite that was ported over from console.
Protip: Practice reading comprehension and "get the whole story before claiming anathema on anyone."
so how come bethesda haven't gone after 'Runes of Magic' publisher Runewaker? They are using the subtitle 'The Elder Kingdoms', which sounds almost exactly the same thing as The Elder Scrolls.
I think Mojang are an 'easy target'.
When I went to the PAX event, I checked out Skyrim its pretty good.
Obviously this is just a way to spotlight Skyrim. They wont have anything on Notch. Elders scrolls will always be different from Scrolls.
Its like saying, "Hey, nobody use the word: Of. That will make ppl get confused with World Of Warcraft "
its mojang D:
Why does everyone focus on the the Quake 3 idea? Granted, this looks a little immature, but (as I've expressed before) was actually one of the only adult and proactive suggestions in the entire process. What I find ironic is that Mojang had previously offered to withdraw their application for a copyright on the word "Scrolls", which Zenimax/Bethesda refused to accept, but many people fail to remember or mention this part. Mojang's hands were already tied when Notch suggested the Quake 3 match.
Regardless, I stand by my orginal prognosis. The court will decide:
--that no infringement was made against Zenimax's/Bethesda's existing copyright.
--that it is not legal to copyright a non-coined word for use as a media title.
--that Mojang is free to use the word "Scrolls" for its upcoming title without copyright.
Then, I think Mojang will simply copyright a different title, like "Mojang's SCROLLS" to secure their market title.
Splitting hairs. Trademark is nothing more than copyright as it applies to a franchise instead of a single item. It's all the same copyright law.
Absolutely true. I wouldn't doubt that somewhere in the mix, Bethesda expressed that they had no worries about the use of the title or desire to sue Mojang. That's probably why Mojang never got a direct answer when asked Zenimax why they were being sued. Kind of hard to explain in non-legal or non-legislative terms: "Well, our clients don't want to sue you, but we have total executive control of legal matters for their company. So, we're forcing them to sue you anyway."
And this is why lawyers are not issued firearms.
what's the point? 2 games can have the same name. ( i still mope mojang wins though.)