Long ago - before the dawn of history - we saw the beginnings of a lawsuit from Bethesda Softworks/Zenimax over the rights to use the word "scrolls" as a title for a new game Mojang was developing. Time went on, and it eventually ended up in court, with indie underdog Mojang refusing to relinquish their use of the new title. Now, it seems that the lawsuit has come to a close, with Mojang the victor. The final verdict? As told by Mojang CEO Carl Manneh, they will be allowed to use the name "Scrolls" for their new game title, but will not maintain control over the trademark of said word. This marks the end of a long road between the software publishing giant and indie game studio, and all things considered, there was minimal conflict. Carl added, "it was never about the trademark, but being able to use 'Scrolls' as the name of our game, which we can".
One could say that the lawsuit took an arrow to the knee.
Bethesda Softworks/Zenimax originally wanted Mojang to stop using the word "scrolls" for their new game for fear of confusing it with their "Elder Scrolls" franchise. Scrolls is a CCG-like game which "offers a new and unique game play where you fight to outmaneuver your opponent on the battlefield using the destructive powers in your collection of magical scrolls". You can sign up for the Scrolls Alpha by going here and providing your email.
________
Community Spotlight - Savage Realms
This week, we take a look at the incredibly diverse SMP server "Savage Realms" - definitely a server worth visiting if you want an endless bounty of activities combined with a solid, tightly-knit community. Check it out! Special thanks to cr0ssVtW, acidsinn, hungoverfurball and Mayhem for giving me the grand tour! My only regret was that there was so very much to see, it was a constant battle to figure out what would make it into the video. If you head over to their server, be sure to check out their "Underworld" region - it really is something else!
________
XBLA Minecraft Sneak Peek - Split-Screen!
During the recent Game Developer's Conference, we had a chance to check out the upcoming XBLA Minecraft, now with split-screen action. Take a look!
Can't wait until the Alpha launches and I get my code, from what I saw at Minecon, the thing is beast. I haven't been a huge strategy player in the past, but who knows, maybe I'll be converted.
Now, it seems that the lawsuit has come to a close, with Mojang the victor.
Really? As far as I have seen so far, both companies got what they wanted. Bethesda gets the Trademark and and Majong can keep the name, not using the name ever to make an Elder Scrolls competitor. Even Notch tweeted that: https://twitter.com/...527852969459712
And btw, if it wasn't about the Trademark Majong tried to acquire, none of this would have even happened.
Glad to hear this got resolved.
i couldn't get why this fight started at all. scrolls the word is just a word no one can claim a word as theirs, good one mohjang!!
and the odds of the two games being confused is very low. from my own perspective i notice the elder scrolls series are often reffered to by the sub-name. marrowind, oblivion, and skyrim. i always see the three games i know about refered to like that. and before i played elder scrolls i had no idea what the three words were, what game it was etc... and it is rare to games from different companies are confused. espeashily if they are two different genres.
like every car has a steering wheel and no one whines about copyrights.
i like this company more and more each day, they are outgoing and willing to push issues others won't bother to touch with a ten foot pole. the big game companies are just big companies, they don't control the gaming industry [though they act like it]. if something is not stolen you should be free to produce it.
I wonder what planet Bethesda is living on. Nobody says "the elder scrolls", they always say Oblivion, Skyrim, Morrowind etc. THOSE are the titles of their games, not "elder scrolls", that's just a header for the game. I guess common sense finally won over weed-smoking, thankfully.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
Retired StaffLong ago - before the dawn of history - we saw the beginnings of a lawsuit from Bethesda Softworks/Zenimax over the rights to use the word "scrolls" as a title for a new game Mojang was developing. Time went on, and it eventually ended up in court, with indie underdog Mojang refusing to relinquish their use of the new title. Now, it seems that the lawsuit has come to a close, with Mojang the victor. The final verdict? As told by Mojang CEO Carl Manneh, they will be allowed to use the name "Scrolls" for their new game title, but will not maintain control over the trademark of said word. This marks the end of a long road between the software publishing giant and indie game studio, and all things considered, there was minimal conflict. Carl added, "it was never about the trademark, but being able to use 'Scrolls' as the name of our game, which we can".
One could say that the lawsuit took an arrow to the knee.
Bethesda Softworks/Zenimax originally wanted Mojang to stop using the word "scrolls" for their new game for fear of confusing it with their "Elder Scrolls" franchise. Scrolls is a CCG-like game which "offers a new and unique game play where you fight to outmaneuver your opponent on the battlefield using the destructive powers in your collection of magical scrolls". You can sign up for the Scrolls Alpha by going here and providing your email.
This week, we take a look at the incredibly diverse SMP server "Savage Realms" - definitely a server worth visiting if you want an endless bounty of activities combined with a solid, tightly-knit community. Check it out! Special thanks to cr0ssVtW, acidsinn, hungoverfurball and Mayhem for giving me the grand tour! My only regret was that there was so very much to see, it was a constant battle to figure out what would make it into the video. If you head over to their server, be sure to check out their "Underworld" region - it really is something else!
During the recent Game Developer's Conference, we had a chance to check out the upcoming XBLA Minecraft, now with split-screen action. Take a look!
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
Retired StaffI'm glad they got that cleared up.
I still wish they settled it over a match of quake 3 however.
Click for penguins in minecraft!
but eh, no more rolled up parchment
Give a man a fish, and he'll be fed for a day.
Anyway, good to see they can keep the name 'Scrolls'
Yay.
And btw, if it wasn't about the Trademark Majong tried to acquire, none of this would have even happened.
Glad to hear this got resolved.
and the odds of the two games being confused is very low. from my own perspective i notice the elder scrolls series are often reffered to by the sub-name. marrowind, oblivion, and skyrim. i always see the three games i know about refered to like that. and before i played elder scrolls i had no idea what the three words were, what game it was etc... and it is rare to games from different companies are confused. espeashily if they are two different genres.
like every car has a steering wheel and no one whines about copyrights.
i like this company more and more each day, they are outgoing and willing to push issues others won't bother to touch with a ten foot pole. the big game companies are just big companies, they don't control the gaming industry [though they act like it]. if something is not stolen you should be free to produce it.
May the force be without you.
I used to be a Bethesda Lawyer, until I took an arrow in the knee.