inquisitrlogo

 
Minecraft Maker Mojang Sued By Uniloc Over Patent Dispute

Posted: July 21, 2012
Minecraft Maker Mojang Sued By Uniloc Over Patent Dispute

Minecraft Uniloc Lawsuit

Minecraft maker Mojang is being sued by Texas-based tech-patent collector Uniloc, who claims that the Android version of “Mindcraft” infringes upon their Patent #6,857,067.

JoyStiq reports that the patent is for:

“System and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data.” Specifically, the filing references claim 107 of the patent, which covers a “Computer code executable on an electronic device to prevent unauthorized access to electronic data stored on the electronic device.”

Marcus Persson of Mojang, wrote on Twitter Saturday morning that:

“Unfortunately for them, they’re suing us over a software patent. If needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don’t get a cent. Software patents are plain evil. Innovation within software is basically free, and it’s growing incredibly rapid. Patents only slow it down.”

Uniloc is seeking damages which are compounded by both pre and post-judgment interest. They are also seeking ongoing royalties from Mojang, maker of Minecraft.

According to Ars Technica, Uniloc has a large number of patent licenses, and has succeeded in winning settlements from some of the companies it has sued. The company’s eight-year long lawsuit against Microsoft ended this past March when the software giant agreed to undisclosed terms.

Originally, a jury in 2009 found Microsoft guilty of infringing on one of Uniloc’s patents, citing that the Redmond, Washington giant should pay $388 million in damages. The settlement was later thrown out by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a landmark decision, which eliminated a so-called 25 percent rule.

Marcus Persson first noted the lawsuit this morning when he took to Twitter to write:

Along with its lawsuit against Mojang for their Minecraft Android app, Uniloc is also suing Electronic Arts, claiming that their popular Bejeweled 2 game violates the same patent.



Comments


9 Archived Responses to “ Minecraft Maker Mojang Sued By Uniloc Over Patent Dispute ”

  1. Xyameax Zorax
    Jul 22, 2012

    Ive just read this and done some more reasearch, if Uniloc is suing Electronic Arts for Bejeweled 2, a game that came out in 2004, before the patent was made in 2005, doesn't that make Uniloc losing automatically due to the fact that they are the ones who stole the idea from Bejeweled, and Wasn't it also Microsoft who made the operating system for them to actually use to make the patent as well? Uniloc has gone over their heads and have no idea that they aren't going to have anyone like them, and probally could get themselves sued for false reporting, theft of money under false circumstances, and maybe even harrasment of the 2nd degree, black mailing, and so forth.. This is a company that has gone big, and not even in the same country, yet they believe they have the right to sue not only Mojang, but anyone who has created the same idea, even if it was before they even put the patent down, and probally for some, before they even used a computer.

  2. Eric Winkworth
    Jul 22, 2012

    http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2009/week14/TOC.htm#ref3

    the patent number 6,857,067.
    expired as of 2009.

    fail

  3. John Matheu
    Jul 22, 2012

    Hi all , yesterday I found a website where you can get free Minecraft Gift Code http://goo.gl/lkWZJ yes free , this website is not mine , I just found it on a hackforum.

  4. James Johnson
    Jul 22, 2012

    The question remains, when did Minecraft begin utilizing the patent. Maybe you know Eric? I admitted haven't researched that information. Minecraft entered Alpha in May 2009 and the patent expired several months prior. I admittedly don't have those details but if it is proven that Minecraft utilized the patent before it expired it would not fall under protected use.

  5. James Johnson
    Jul 22, 2012

    Xyameax, no. If Uniloc filed for the patent and EA did not they would own the rights to the patent. The U.S. patent system is broken and often does result in what seems like blackmail and strong arming. Look up some of the ridiculous patents that have been approved and you'll see what I mean.

  6. Xyameax Zorax
    Jul 26, 2012

    The patent was aproved if you had read, it was approved in 2005

  7. James Johnson
    Jul 26, 2012

    I didn't say anything about it not being approved. It doesn't matter when a patent is made. If the patent is approved in 2005 it applies to products released before it. A patent is the marketable right to a piece of technology. This is why the U.S. patent system is broken.

  8. Xyameax Zorax
    Jul 26, 2012

    Sorry about my previous comment, but it shouldn't have to apply to the items before, or it would be copyright infringement if I am wrong, since the game of Bejeweled is Copyrighted by law, I could be wrong however since there seems to be millions of clones.

  9. Steven Chennault
    Aug 14, 2012

    except the lawsuit is over the android version of minecraft which came out November 18, 2011