Mike Fahey
90's virtual world developers Worlds.com has fired the first shot in what could be a game company-spanning battle as they file suit against NCsoft for infringing on their patent for multiplayer virtual environments. The patent at question is 7,181,690, "System and Method for Enabling Users to Interact in a Virtual Space", which was file in August of 2000 and finally issued in February of last year. Reading over the patent, it basically covers the client/server-based system every single MMO on the market uses to allow multiple players to view and interact with each other in a virtual world. The suit, filed on Christmas Eve, claims that NCsoft has infringed on this patent across all of its MMO titles, from City of Heroes to Guild Wars to Dungeon Runners. After reading over the patent, it looks like they've actually got a pretty solid case on their hands.
Worlds seeks damages from NCsoft, as well as assurances that the MMO publisher will not infringe on their second patent, 6,219,045 - "Scalable Virtual World Chat Client-Server System".
Mark my words here - NCsoft is just the beginning. Their patent pretty much covers every instance where users with avatars interact in a virtual space. From Second Life to World of Warcraft, PlayStation Home to Anarchy Online; everything massively online and multiplayer falls under this patent. This should be interesting, folks. Worlds.com Files Suit Against NCsoft for Patent Infringement [Virtual Worlds News - Thanks Chris!]
From what I know, World.com does seem to have a very good case. So, if they win this one will blizzard be next?
So basically, it's one online organization vs. every single multi-million-dollar and multi-billion-dollar multi-MMO-title game company. I don't know about that But you're an expert, I guess.
Are you implying that the US judicial system is nothing more than a puppet of multi billion dollar corporations? And you are ok with that? But what do I know, you are the expert on that.
Now, if the judicial system can move beyond thee $ of corporations, then worlds.com does have a case.
The original patent was filed in 1995, or about 2 years before modern MMOs and as far as I know pretty much any virtual chat world where people have a 3d view of the virtual world from their perspective, including 3d avatars that represent other people interacting with the user. So, there is no prior art to prove that the patent is not valid, although NCsoft might find other ways to do so.
Then again, if worlds.com does win, then that might lead to other problems as it would violate anti-trust laws.
Again, I'm no expert, I only know a bit. Patent infringement law suits are always tricky
Who the frack is worlds.com? And what the frack do they have to do with World of Warcraft or what the fuck ever MMO. What did they invent the internet? I seriously don't get this lawsuit wtf does it have to do with anything? I'm seriously confused...
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98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 2% who hasn't, copy & paste this in your signature.
This seems like it could be the WWII of the gaming industry. The germans are worlds.com are taking all of Europe (mmo's) and the Anglo american world powers is blizzard. Im pretty sure Blizz will own face.
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"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
Well they are partnered with Aerosmith, and David Bowie,(WTF?) and Steven Spielberg did some voiceover for a video of theirs. Watch out they got some power now.:rolleyes:
I hope Worlds.com burns in hell. If you look at their product, it is some of the worst graphics I have ever seen. Completely outdated as of 10 years ago. I think some CEO just got a little greedy and is trying to cash in on stuff like WoW. Notice how they didn't attack Blizzard first, because they knew they would get their asses handed to them on a silver platter.
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From what I know, World.com does seem to have a very good case. So, if they win this one will blizzard be next?
Now, if the judicial system can move beyond thee $ of corporations, then worlds.com does have a case.
The original patent was filed in 1995, or about 2 years before modern MMOs and as far as I know pretty much any virtual chat world where people have a 3d view of the virtual world from their perspective, including 3d avatars that represent other people interacting with the user. So, there is no prior art to prove that the patent is not valid, although NCsoft might find other ways to do so.
Then again, if worlds.com does win, then that might lead to other problems as it would violate anti-trust laws.
Again, I'm no expert, I only know a bit. Patent infringement law suits are always tricky
98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 2% who hasn't, copy & paste this in your signature.
Good sir, Diablo 2 has been out for years. Have you been living under a rock?
98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you're one of the 2% who hasn't, copy & paste this in your signature.
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
I hope Worlds.com burns in hell. If you look at their product, it is some of the worst graphics I have ever seen. Completely outdated as of 10 years ago. I think some CEO just got a little greedy and is trying to cash in on stuff like WoW. Notice how they didn't attack Blizzard first, because they knew they would get their asses handed to them on a silver platter.