Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#1

Post by Shenglong » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 2:46 PM UTC

Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this
notch.tumblr.com

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#2

Post by knowtheory » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 2:50 PM UTC

I love this idea, and in a society that prided itself on honor, Bethesda would take him up on it.

Unfortunately the law does not promote honorable behavior.

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#3

Post by strmpnk » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 2:54 PM UTC

If only all legal battles could be solved with an old-fashion duel. Even better, lets make the lawyers fight to the death. Solves both the legal side and serves as a nice control of the lawyer population...

More seriously, I really hope that the legal system can start setting a practical standard for intelectual property debates. From patents to trademarks or even how we handle trade secrets, it's like the information age has created a new cold-war era in business mentality and it serves no purpose other than to abuse power.

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#4

Post by benbeltran » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 2:55 PM UTC

Come on Bethesda. Take the bait. It's great PR. (I'm sure valve would do it)

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#5

Post by tjogin » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:00 PM UTC

Does that count as legally defending your trademark on Bethesda's part?

And if Bethesda is right in that "Scrolls" is too similar to "The Elder Scrolls", as to cause confusion in the market place, how would a game of Quake rectify that?

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#6

Post by tylerneylon » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:03 PM UTC

This is a great solution because it can settle things quickly with less stress and let everyone get back to work.

Gamers are _not_ going to confuse Notch's and Bethesda's use of the word "scrolls," so I don't see why either company should take this too seriously. (Re-naming a game is less work than a drawn-out lawsuit.)

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#7

Post by esrauch » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:05 PM UTC

tjogin wrote: post #5

Does that count as legally defending your trademark on Bethesda's part? And if Bethesda is right in that "Scrolls" is too similar to "The Elder Scrolls", as to cause confusion in the market place, how would a game of Quake rectify that?

They can specifically give him a license to use the name "Scrolls" under certain conditions (a disclaimer that this game is unrelated). Then there is no issue of failing to protect their trademark.

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#8

Post by runjake » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:05 PM UTC

I have no clue who Bethesda is, but if they took him up on the offer it would be great PR in the eyes of gaming(?) consumers. It would show they're cool and don't take themselves too seriously. They'd certainly win cool points from me.

Do it, Bethesda.

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#9

Post by saddino » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:05 PM UTC

The fact that Bethesda has engaged counsel means they've already invested in defending their trademark rights. Agreeing to any "contest" in which they'd abandon their mark would serve as record (to other competitors) that their mark is diluted. No chance of that happening. Unfortunately this is a legal issue now, not a game.

Re: Hey, Bethesda Let’s settle this

#10

Post by revorad » Wed, Aug 17, 2011, 3:06 PM UTC

Now I want to see Larry and Steve battle it out over Angry Birds.