a system and method ... for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data stored on an electronic device.
It is not known at this time what, if anything, this means for Mojang. Of note, Markus "Notch" Persson has certainly voiced his opinion on the matter, stating that he "will throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent". Little else is known about the lawsuit at this time.
Notch has made the lawsuit PDF available for viewing, which you can see by clicking here. He has also posted a detailed write-up on his perspective on software patents - you can view it by clicking here.
Uniloc appears to be suing numerous other gaming producers allegedly violating this patent, including Square Enix, Electronic Arts and others.
Any further specifics of the case will be covered as they develop.
UPDATE: Ric Richardson has posted his views on the situation as well, which you can read by clicking here. It is important to note that Mr. Richardson has had no direct part in the lawsuit of Uniloc vs. Mojang.
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This week, David and Toby talk about Minecon 2012, Creeper clothes and other awesome Minecraftiness - check it out!
"Mojang is directly infringing one or more claims of the ’067 patent in this judicial
district and elsewhere in Texas, including at least claim 107, without the consent or authorization
of Uniloc, by or through making, using, offering for sale, selling and/or importing Android based
applications for use on cellular phones and/or tablet devices that require communication with a
server to perform a license check to prevent the unauthorized use of said application, including,
but not limited to, Mindcraft."
I mean, if the fools can't even spell "Minecraft" properly, that means one of two things:
1. They can't afford to proofread their documents
2. They don't know their facts.
Either way, they're most likely just being stupid. If this was true, all Android apps that have some sort of user authentication (Facebook, Twitter, eBay, etc etc) would violate this patent. Considering how widespread authentication systems are on Android devices, this patent was probably filed by some jerk who wants to get money out of everyone. Anyone got any info on how recent the patent is?
LET'S DO IT!
Screw it let's ask Valve for back up then this Ric guy will really be screwed
A link another user posted puts the filing date in Feb. 2001 and the issuing date in Feb. 2005
but not limited to, Mindcraft."
Seriously, they are filing a lawsuit and they can't even get the name of the application they are filing against right?
Notch, point out these guys' flaws in their document or don't tell them, since I'm sure you don't own a game called Mindcraft. They will have to go through their documents over again and probably take them weeks or months for them to even pull this again. Also are they really even legitimate? Or is this some company trying to get money off a famous name?
So I say **** them and they will lose anyway
Minecraft not Mindcraft *****, please type carefully before suing Mojang.
"without the consent or authorization
of Uniloc, by or through making, using, offering for sale, selling and/or importing Android based
applications for use on cellular phones and/or tablet devices that require communication with a
server to perform a license check to prevent the unauthorized use of said application, including,
but not limited to, Mindcraft."
Is it just me or does that explanation seem like they are suing over a "Technique" rather than software, and a method used by almost every multiplayer game these days. Except the fact that its on an Andriod device, which they don't own. It's like going into a new coffee shop and getting a patent on how you drink your coffee. Then suing everyone there because they are drinking their coffee that way even though they were doing it everywhere else before AND they don't even own the coffee shop.
These Uniloc guys deserve to rot in jail.
It's just a recommendation. Just grab some Nokia if this really goes through.