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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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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amk-aka-Phantom This is COOL! Do it! WAY better than stupid lawsuits! Settle it like warriors :)Reply -
Darkerson Notch really cracks me up sometimes. :lol: 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... :sarcastic:Reply
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" :non: :pfff: -
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.Reply
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joebob2000 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"Reply -
phishy714 BUT GUYS!!!!!Reply
How are the lawyers going to get their big bonus checks if they duel it out in Quake?