Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction

Markus 'notch' Persson tweets that Mojang has won the first round of its legal battle with Bethesda Softworks over the Scrolls name that Bethesda claims infringes on their trademark for The Elder Scrolls:
We won the interim injunction! We can keep using the name "Scrolls". ZeniMax/Bethesda can still appeal the ruling, but I'm very happy. :D
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23.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 22, 2011, 22:42
23.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 22, 2011, 22:42
Oct 22, 2011, 22:42
 
Nucas wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 17:00:
i'm generally loathe to use this term, but if you're whining about the graphics in minecraft you really don't get it.

Exactly right.
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
22.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 19, 2011, 18:20
22.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 19, 2011, 18:20
Oct 19, 2011, 18:20
 
Beamer wrote on Oct 19, 2011, 11:19:
1) Microsoft has trademarked "Windows"
2) It isn't "Vista," it's "Windows Vista"

My apologies - my memory of the Lindows case was hazy. I know MS were worried that they [mighti lose their trademark if they pushed too hard, which is why they focussed so much on the "Vista" in their marketing, and not so much on the "Windows".

3) Tim Langdell did sue EA. He sued everyone. He typically wasn't successful, but he could bully enough to get settlements

Oops - I meant "successfully sue".
21.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 19, 2011, 11:19
21.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 19, 2011, 11:19
Oct 19, 2011, 11:19
 
Tusker wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 21:11:
dumpy wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 20:43:
In the instance of Mojang, Bethesda are paranoid that the use of 'Scrolls' will have legal ramifications on their use of the same word in their licensing.

This is ridiculous, though - Mojang can't stop anyone using "Scrolls", because it's a commonly used term - just like Microsoft couldn't trademark "Windows" (which is why they changed it to "Vista"), and Tim Langdell couldn't sue EA for calling their game "Mirror's Edge".

Wait, what?
1) Microsoft has trademarked "Windows"
2) It isn't "Vista," it's "Windows Vista"
3) Tim Langdell did sue EA. He sued everyone. He typically wasn't successful, but he could bully enough to get settlements
20.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 19, 2011, 11:03
Jivaro
 
20.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 19, 2011, 11:03
Oct 19, 2011, 11:03
 Jivaro
 
eRe4s3r wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 14:46:
An Injunction has nothing to do with the lawsuit, its completely separate.

details...details....
Avatar 55841
19.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 22:35
19.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 22:35
Oct 18, 2011, 22:35
 
GO NOTCH!
18.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 22:05
18.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 22:05
Oct 18, 2011, 22:05
 
ELITE wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:21:
I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.
Minecraft pulls in at least $175,000 a day ($250,000 a day on weekends)
I don't think Mojang is hurting for money.
17.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 21:11
17.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 21:11
Oct 18, 2011, 21:11
 
dumpy wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 20:43:
In the instance of Mojang, Bethesda are paranoid that the use of 'Scrolls' will have legal ramifications on their use of the same word in their licensing.

This is ridiculous, though - Mojang can't stop anyone using "Scrolls", because it's a commonly used term - just like Microsoft couldn't trademark "Windows" (which is why they changed it to "Vista"), and Tim Langdell couldn't sue EA for calling their game "Mirror's Edge".

There seems to be pretty well established precedent on this, but Bethesda are pursuing Mojang anyway - seems kinda douchey.
16.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 20:43
16.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 20:43
Oct 18, 2011, 20:43
 
I think the reason Bethesda are acting can be explained as follows.

A while back, a fan made film based on the Max Payne games was close to being released. 20th Century Fox, because of their upcoming Max Payne cinematic release, closed them down through the courts.

In the instance of Mojang, Bethesda are paranoid that the use of 'Scrolls' will have legal ramifications on their use of the same word in their licensing.

Its a two way street, and a lot of money is at stake. If the tables were turned, guaranteed that Bethesda would close Mojang's 'Scrolls' in a heartbeat.
15.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 17:00
Nucas
 
15.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 17:00
Oct 18, 2011, 17:00
 Nucas
 
WaltC wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 14:36:
The graphics in Minecraft look basically like they were drawn by a 6-year old playing with Lego blocks and crayons. So, there are much better things this would-be entrepreneur could be spending his money on.
it's my understanding minecraft has sold 3 million copies. there's no "would-be"; he's an entrapaneur.

i'm generally loathe to use this term, but if you're whining about the graphics in minecraft you really don't get it.
Avatar 49584
14.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 15:18
14.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 15:18
Oct 18, 2011, 15:18
 
The bad graphics are a huge part of why this game is so popular. The game is already awesome, and if you don't see that right now, you never will.

I also hate lawyers, but they do what they do and there's nothing we can do.

I personally would like minecraft to have better graphics, but it's not in their best interest.
Avatar 56211
13.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 14:46
13.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 14:46
Oct 18, 2011, 14:46
 
An Injunction has nothing to do with the lawsuit, its completely separate.
Avatar 54727
12.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 14:38
12.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 14:38
Oct 18, 2011, 14:38
 
I don't see why the Trademark system has to be so ridiculous that someone with a game called "The Elder Scrolls" has to worry about their game if someone wants to make a game called "Scrolls". These trademarks shouldn't overlap. One is a pc card game and one is an RPG? I don't see this being a problem even if notch decided to change the game and make it a First person RPG set in a fantasy realm.

Nobody is going to confuse "Scrolls" with "The Elder Scrolls". Fix the stupid trademark laws so there is no argument about needing to defend your trademark.
11.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 14:36
11.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 14:36
Oct 18, 2011, 14:36
 
Bodolza wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:25:
ELITE wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:21:
I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.

Maybe it's coming out of the marketing budget, in which case it seems to be money well spent.

Any money paid out to attorneys over idiotic stuff like this is completely wasted. Much, much better to spend your marketing money on advertising--which you'd think would be common sense. The graphics in Minecraft look basically like they were drawn by a 6-year old playing with Lego blocks and crayons. So, there are much better things this would-be entrepreneur could be spending his money on. It's one thing to successfully give away mountains of free software--quite another to interest people in paying for it. Getting into a pissing match with Bethesda, who quite possibly had trademarked the word "scroll" with respect to a computer game before notch was born, is *not* the way to kick off a software career.

If he's got time for this sort of thing, he apparently isn't spending enough time on software development. In the end, his use of the word "scroll" in the title of his game won't mean a thing in comparison with the quality, or lack thereof, of the software he produces. He's shown me nothing yet, but I'm willing to wait and see. Less mouth and more coding is the approach he should take from here on out, imo.
It is well known that I cannot err--and so, if you should happen across an error in anything I have written you can be absolutely sure that *I* did not write it!...;)
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10.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 14:06
10.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 14:06
Oct 18, 2011, 14:06
 
This crossed my mind from the start - but at some point it can get really expensive - and I don't think you can just throw your arms up and say - You Win!

Bodolza wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:25:
ELITE wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:21:
I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.

Maybe it's coming out of the marketing budget, in which case it seems to be money well spent.
Avatar 21848
9.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 13:35
9.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 13:35
Oct 18, 2011, 13:35
 
Cutter wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 12:23:
A) This is just in Sweden.

B) Bethsft is probably done as they can show they've demonstrated they're active about protecting their trademark from dilution. Unless they have other plans themselves and/or just feel like smacking Notch on the crotch for being an clown about all of this. And I wouldn't blame them.

Actually, the injunction basically was Bethesda asking the court to not allow Mojang to use the term "scrolls" while the case proceeds. That was overturned. If I had to guess, probably because the game is not released yet so no actual physical damage could be done to the Elder Scrolls at this time.

The lawsuit is still progressing, and the injunction can be appealed. It's not over, this is just the opening shot.
8.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 13:25
8.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 13:25
Oct 18, 2011, 13:25
 
ELITE wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:21:
I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.

Maybe it's coming out of the marketing budget, in which case it seems to be money well spent.
7.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 13:21
7.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 13:21
Oct 18, 2011, 13:21
 
I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.
Avatar 21848
6.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 12:23
6.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 12:23
Oct 18, 2011, 12:23
 
A) This is just in Sweden.

B) Bethsft is probably done as they can show they've demonstrated they're active about protecting their trademark from dilution. Unless they have other plans themselves and/or just feel like smacking Notch on the crotch for being an clown about all of this. And I wouldn't blame them.
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
5.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 11:51
5.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 11:51
Oct 18, 2011, 11:51
 
xXBatmanXx wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 11:16:
Good. Now everyone can move on.

Except Bethesda and their team of incompetent lawyers. I'm sure after another laughable defeat to Interplay, over their Fallout deal, they'll get back to suing Mojang again. They have the option to appeal.
4.
 
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction
Oct 18, 2011, 11:16
4.
Re: Mojang Wins Scrolls Injunction Oct 18, 2011, 11:16
Oct 18, 2011, 11:16
 
Good. Now everyone can move on.
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