http://kotaku.com/5119944/worldscom-files-suit-against-ncsoft-+-every-other-mmo-company-to-follow
Here’s a small excerpt:
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.
Why did they wait so many years? They registered the patent in 2000 and it has only arrived last year. The problem with patents nowadays are that they can cover anything. Technically anything that can be done in a different way and doesn’t affect someone elses way of life. Say, If I were to register a patent named: ‘Cleaning butts with your right hand!’ Everyone will need to pay me for cleaning their butts with their right hands, but they could actually still use their left hands. LOL.
Its the same thing as buying expensive car insurance(that cost more than the car). A lot of times we need to fork out for more than what we get and this is because of the law. Well, do the use of lightbulbs have a patent? One may argue that lightbulbs have existed from long ago, its impossible to patent. So did Ultima Online. Thus, Worlds.com may just get their patent voided. Because it could go both ways, they decided to pick a small company that is already in debt, so they do not need to worry about lawyers who might bicker back at their ridiculous idea. Why not go after WoW. Honestly, WoW may even hire a lawyer for NCSoft to stay safe.
Seriously, suing an MMO company for making MMOs is like suing a coffee maker for making coffee or BMW driver gets sued for driving a BMW. MMO makers don’t only apply to companies. See how many ragnarok online code leechers and private servers there are. Its similar to the ease of making coffee. In fact, I find making coffee hard! Its always too bitter.
Somehow, I wonder, is there a patent for drawing/watching/publishing/advertising hentai? It isn’t hard to draw!
I lol’ed.