This looks like trouble!

[Saint Faucet]

Somebody must have fallen asleep at the patent office:

3-D Patent a World of Trouble? (http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,43490,00.html)

To sum it up, a patent was just issued to a company called Worlds.com for technology that allows "multiple users to interact in a three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual world."

Hrm. Now Worlds.com has the legal right to go after anyone making a MMORPG? Does it also mean they can go after any 3D online game that uses a client-server structure?

What is this REAL world coming to? I really hope this patent gets overturned and fast!

[Dogmeat]

Well, unless this Worlds.com can afford to deal with the lawyers of all the MMORPG companies, they are not going to be able to keep the patent.

And they shouldn't, either. That is almost as bad as amazon trying to patent 1 click shopping.

[Morte]

I don't see how they are ever going to win this, but even if they do, they might gain nothing by it. Microsoft, for example, can move the subsidiary company that contains Asherons Call to become part of Microsoft Europe, for all legal purposes. This would not require any physical moving at all, just legal proceedings. Since this ridiculous patent would never be recognised, they would fall outside World.com's claim. The only problem would be the physical production of the CD-ROM's containing the software, since this is not as easily moved.

[Slitherrr]

Sure Microsoft'll be fine, but what about other companies? Let's just hope that someone at the patent office has a head screwed on right.

[UBIK]

hahaha that sounds like someone just went in and patented well water

[Morte]

Actually, it takes very little to 'base' a company in Europe, or transfer an existing one. Under Dutch law you need to have an office, which needs to be little more than a room with a telephone in it, and I'm not sure you need even that much under European law. Having a company based in Europe doesn't mean you have to actually physically BE in Europe. If it is even necesary, because I wonder if they can hold out against Microsoft alone.

[Dogmeat]

I can name three reasons why this won't go through

Microsoft
Sony
Lawyers

That is all :)

[Kintoun]

Speaking of Sony and patents and whatnot. has anyone heard about the software that major music companies have? Suppossedly it tracks all online trading of mp3's. It's called Music-tracker or something. Basically it logs onto the most popular music trading areas, IRC networks, Napster, etc.. and pretends to be a client just like the rest of us. Except that it really is logging all IP's and files being traded. Is this even legal? How is this within the privacy rules of the Internet (err even tho there are none, heh heh).

[Dogmeat]

That is most definitely a breach of the privacy agreements. There is no way it can be really legal (perhaps quasi-legal) to forcibly break the sites' terms of use and privacy agreements. I HIGHLY doubt that there is a clause in there saying that users are allowed to track the IPs of others...and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a clause forbidding it.

[Nadger]

this is total bs, putting a patent on something like that is like putting a patent on clothes. something like that needs to be free to all. if they do get taken to court, they will loose for sure.

[Talka]

I agree with Nadger (Hi Nadger!), this is complete stupidity. It almost reminds me of that guy who tried to buy all the World's silver. That cracked me up, but this makes me pissed. Its just stupid. Not Funny Stupid, but its Mean Stupid. Like kids playing and somebody 'calling' all the swings. That childish.

--Talka

[Nadger]

hey talka, looks like we are both struggling to get out post count up so we get a chance to beta a kick ass game like arcanity ;)

[Kintoun]

Now now... I have seen Talka make some really good posts. This is one person who has shown their RP skills and they seem decent enough. I would love to play with Talka in Arcanity (and even Beta ^_~). But both of you need to make some long HUGE posts which SPEW out all your ideas on Arcanity. I used to say this to all the apprentices and got some really good ideas outta them. So post away gentlemen!http://members.chello.nl/~deleeuw3/ahic.gif

[Gaehh]

Btw, just fyi,

I have just patented a brand new, ground breaking invention of mine yesterday.

It's called WATER(tm) and is an almost colorless liquid that you can use for drinking, washing, bathing and many other nice things.

So feel free to fill out some checks and send them to me...

[Morte]

I live in Europe. I am out of reach of your patent. You will never get me. NEVER. Mwuhahahahaha

[Dogmeat]

Anyone here have or know someone who has a patent? My dad has a few...one because of some stuff he did at AT&T, and one from a squirtgun he invented in college :)