Minecraft Creator: Let's Settle Scrolls Dispute in Quake
Why take a silly patent infringement dispute to court when you can settle the matter in a virtual arena of death?
Two weeks ago, Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson and his studio Mojang received a 15-page letter from Bethesda's lawyers stating that the name of his upcoming game "Scrolls" infringes upon Bethesda's own "The Elder Scrolls" trademark, and could possibly stir up some confusion when the fifth Elder Scrolls installment launches in November.
"Today, I got a 15 page letter from some Swedish lawyer firm, saying they demand us to stop using the name Scrolls, that they will sue us (and have already paid the fee to the Swedish court), and that they demand a pile of money up front before the legal process has even started," Persson said in his blog on August 5.
Since then, little else has been said about the "Scrolls" lawsuit until today. In a blog posted just hours ago, Persson came up with a way to resolve the alleged patent infringement dispute outside the legal system: a virtual duel. While at first this method sounds like a joke and even pulls up images of old Tom & Jerry cartoons (or something similar), Persson claims that this offer is definitely nothing to laugh at.
"Remember that scene in Game of Thrones where Tyrion chose a trial by battle in the Eyrie?" he writes. "Well, let’s do that instead! I challenge Bethesda to a game of Quake 3 [Arena]. Three of our best warriors against three of your best warriors. We select one level, you select the other, we randomize the order. 20 minute matches, highest total frag count per team across both levels wins."
Not a bad offer given that it's (assumably) cheap for both parties involved and quality entertainment for the fans. So what's the prize when one team emerges from the battle victorious?
"If we win, you drop the lawsuit," he suggests. "If you win, we will change the name of Scrolls to something you’re fine with. Regardless of the outcome, we could still have a small text somewhere saying our game is not related to your game series in any way, if you wish."
It sounds like a good plan, but given that it's a dog-eat-dog market saturated with frivolous patent infringement lawsuits as it is, it's highly unlikely Bethesda will bite on this unique peace offering.
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The lawyer's chorus:
pleeease don't take it!!!!
This is COOL! Do it! WAY better than stupid lawsuits! Settle it like warriors
They will never go for it, but I love the challenge all the same!
This should happen more often
Imagine one of them rage quiting
The gaming industry has nothing to do with games.
Notch really cracks me up sometimes.
I can only imagine the stick in the mud response that Bethesda is going to have about this, if they even bother responding at all... 
On a side note, Toms, can you guys fix the forums? I tried up-voting a couple people, only to be told "I already voted"
Bethesda should do it; what with them pretty much taking over Quakecon this year I am sure they could rustle up some ringers from their Quake Live tournament to win it for them.
Bethesda should really consider this. It's good PR
omg lol. What is it with the presumption that any gamer is proficient at Q3A? Why not make it a real challenge; set 3 of the Minecraft devs at the new Skyrim game, and set 3 of the Bethesda devs at the new Scrolls game, and see who gets to the end first! Winner gets to pick the losers next game name. I can see all kinds of unexpected consequences coming from this; imagine if bethesda wins and declares that the name for the new Minecraft release they are "comfortable" with is merely a prefix away : "SucksComparedToTheReal Scrolls"
BUT GUYS!!!!!
How are the lawyers going to get their big bonus checks if they duel it out in Quake?
Why can't all matters be settled like this
Like war for example...
Q3A was the top game when most of us the age to be developers were kids. Everyone played it. That's why it's picked. This is the way wars should be fought as well. Crank up some BF1942.. Take it old school...
But how are the lawyers going to feed their families... that ferrari doesnt buy itself
Q3A was the top game when most of us the age to be developers were kids. Everyone played it. That's why it's picked. This is the way wars should be fought as well. Crank up some BF1942.. Take it old school...
LOL whippersnappers. If its not Q1 dm shotguns-only its not a challenge...
Crank up some BF1942.. Take it old school...
Old school? Try Goldeneye 007 on the N64! FTW
I still LOVE Quake, well Quake Live. Yes, settle the dispute using gaming warrior tools, like real game developers!!!
Nop, it's not going to happen, but kudos to Minecraft for trying. And more Kudos to Bethesda if they accept the challenge.
Use Bad company 2 man. That would be more epic. 15 of our employees vs 15 of yours!
Why not do play head to head Doom style?
Q3A was the top game when most of us the age to be developers were kids. Everyone played it. That's why it's picked. This is the way wars should be fought as well. Crank up some BF1942.. Take it old school...
What? Battlefield 1942 came out three years later. Quake 3 Arena is the old school.
Taking a page from Uwe Boll, are we..?
They should just play Beer-Pong.
DON'T WUSS OUT BETHESDA! BE MEN!
It surprised me that they are even suing minecraft over use of scrolls might as well go after diablo series too since they contain scrolls in these games as well *roll eyes*. Even this move surprised me by Bethesda it shows they are declining in their quality of making games if they are so threatened... plus how can Minecraft and Scrolls by beth be so confusing!?!?!?
Minecraft is a shitty game, sue these tards for making shitty stuff.
i approve
What? Battlefield 1942 came out three years later. Quake 3 Arena is the old school.
It's also a game that's 5x better than Quake ever was. Tanks, Cruisers, Bombers, huge maps. I've had all of my best gaming moments playing that.
It surprised me that they are even suing minecraft over use of scrolls might as well go after diablo series too since they contain scrolls in these games as well *roll eyes*. Even this move surprised me by Bethesda it shows they are declining in their quality of making games if they are so threatened... plus how can Minecraft and Scrolls by beth be so confusing!?!?!?
Make no mistake, Bethesda (like any sufficiently large company) has a well-tended stable of lawyers and paralegals and paralegal's assistants and interns that do nothing all day but scour the world for the chance to pounce on any violation of their company's property/wealth, be it IP or otherwise. This lawsuit is nothing more than a zealous staff lawyer trying to look good to the boss by bringing a high profile suit out in the name of "protecting the company". I for one hope he gets his *** handed to him and is sent packing. We have enough litigation with issues that actually matter, much less this nonsense. Evil lawyers, GTFO!
Notch you are a God!
While I think the idea of this is awesome (Plus 1 for Quake 2, MY favorite Quake installment...) I think this is one case that actually has some merit...
Every time I hear the 'Minecraft *something something* Scrolls' I am wondering if this has something to do with Elders' Scrolls. I am sure this is primarily because I play neither Minecraft, nor Elders' Scrolls, nor do I even know what genre either belongs to, let alone the new installments such as Scrolls or Elders' Scrolls 5... I have also never played Minecraft, nor did I know what it was until last week.
But to the uninformed, like myself, this is kind of confusing.
notch you just made my whole week. Literally burst out laughing when I read this. Awesome dude. If bethesda says no they get hardcore gamer backlash, if they say yes, god I hope they stream it live
probably hiring some pro gamers to win the settlement; is cheaper than a lawsuit!