UPDATE NOTE
There seems to be some (understandable) confusion in regards to where the lawsuit is coming from. To clarify, "Bethesda Softworks" (publisher and developer of game titles) and "Bethesda Game Studios" (Creators of games like Oblivion, Skyrim etc.) are not the same entity. BGS is an in-house game-making team led by Todd Howard which is one part of Bethesda Softworks, and has no direct connection to the lawsuit in progress by Bethesda Softworks. Unless further specified by the acronym "BGS", any references to Bethesda in the following article assume "Bethesda Softworks". Sorry about the confusion!
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Mojang has been in development of another project (which we went over in our last installment), which bears the working name "Scrolls". Bethesda has expressed concern that players could mix up this new game with their own "Elder Scrolls" series, although the two seem to share no noticeable similarities beyond the word "scrolls".
Notch said that their office received a 15-page cease-and-desist letter, claiming that Mojang would be sued for rights to the word, along with formal requests for legal fees. He went on to say that they are attempting to establish talks with Bethesda regarding the word, to find an amicable solution for both parties. At the time of this writing, there was no available response from Bethesda.
We will continue to update this article as information becomes available.
Notch said that their office received a 15-page cease-and-desist letter, claiming that Mojang would be sued for rights to the word, along with formal requests for legal fees. He went on to say that they are attempting to establish talks with Bethesda regarding the word, to find an amicable solution for both parties. At the time of this writing, there was no available response from Bethesda.
We will continue to update this article as information becomes available.
So what?? Mojang said something about scrolls,
so why that ****** ****** sues Mojang? WHO THE HELL IS HE?!!?!!??!
*Facepalm*
*Reads over again*
*Slaps self*
- The Older Papyrus: Morogust
- The Older Papyrus 2: Abeyance
- The Older Papyrus 3: Atmosphere-edge
All original names and totally not inspired by any existing names. That is, unless Bethesda copyrights the word "The" as well.
hahahaha
actually bethesda makes some of the best RPG games ive played
There is a MONUMENTALLY HUGE difference between copyright and trademarking. You can totally trade mark common words. "Apple" "Colorado" "Kerosene" "Biro" "Esky" "Ping Pong" are just some off the top of my head. You cannot make something with a name similar to, or containing those items without getting a trademark letter.
Often, if the products are notably different and there is a reason for the particular usage, it's fine. My example earlier "Apples & Oranges - Fruit Store" would probably not need to change their logo. Even though Apple has absolutely no affiliation with fruit. Woolworths (The walmart of Australia) had a trademark infringement from Apple over their logo. Look at this to see how stupid it was.
Trademark letters often mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING serious. It's just a requirement of OWNING one, that you DEFEND it. Even when it might seem silly to the common public. At the bottom of that link, it says "Less than 5% of such actions make it to court".
They happen all the time. People think it means so much more than it really does.
Scrolls.
Yeah, that's right. Eat that up.
you shouldn't use fag as an insult.
Bethesda just lost a sale from me.
A lot of pissed off people over this one.
I forsee a lot of actual real lost sales to torrenting of Skyrim over this predatory behaviour by Bethesda.
Paris Hilton owns "That's hot" when using it to advertise products.
Charlie Sheen owns "Duh, winning". So don't go putting that phrase into any games you design.
Donald Trump TRIED to trademark "You're fired" but lost because of a boardgame which had trademarked "You're hired". He can either buy the rights to the trademark from the company involved, or appeal.
This is 100% rubbish.