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Author Topic: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion  (Read 7851 times)

G-Flex

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #120 on: August 20, 2011, 08:30:29 pm »

Patented technology, yes, and I'm basing my knowledge off of one video, but afaik you can't copyright a car's shape, and overall look.
You can't patent the leather used in it, or paint.
So patent yes, copyright no.

What does patenting the individual paint or type of leather have to do with it? Even if you could copyright how a car looks, that's completely different from patenting or copyrighting any individual elements. And what video are you basing this off of?
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Rooster

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #121 on: August 20, 2011, 08:51:50 pm »

Sorry for basing my knowledge off of one video, so it's entirely possible I'm wrong, but I actually found thing said in this video pretty interesting.

http://www.ted.com/talks/johanna_blakley_lessons_from_fashion_s_free_culture.html
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Drawde

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #122 on: August 20, 2011, 09:30:10 pm »

Don't know what the laws are where this is happening, but in the U.S. if you don't defend your IP rights you can loose them.  Many of the infringment threats are because if they don't make the threats it can be ruled that they gave up that particular IP by not defending it.  If, for example, McDonalds ignored other companies using "Mc" in their name or products, regardless of what the company actually does, if a fast food company started doing the same it's possible that the judge can rule that McDonalds gave up the right to "Mc".

A lot of these infringement threats are acknowledged by the companies doing them to be frivilous, but they don't want to be seen as ignoring their property.
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kaijyuu

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #123 on: August 20, 2011, 10:12:42 pm »

Quote
A lot of these infringement threats are acknowledged by the companies doing them to be frivilous, but they don't want to be seen as ignoring their property.
If companies are threatening frivolous lawsuits to save face somehow, then that's pretty damn disgusting.

I'd be sympathetic to McDonalds defending "McWhatever", same as I would Apple defending "iWhatever" (though haven't they pretty much lost that?), as I at least associate those terms with the corresponding companies. However, bullying competition with vague legal threats over frivolous things should be discouraged. Any bad PR Bethesda gets for this is absolutely deserving. Certainly it isn't too much to ask for them to defend their property rights only when it's actually threatened?
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Drawde

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #124 on: August 20, 2011, 10:31:54 pm »

That's the problem.  WHEN is it actually being threatened?  If they miss one thing that actually was it's possible for someone to point that out and try to have the IP declared abandoned.  Or they end up in an expensive legal battle trying to defend their rights where only the lawyers win.  In the U.S., with copyrights at least (don't know about other IP), it's completely up to the owners to defend their rights.  Unlike a violent crime where the government steps in to prevent the law being broken, it won't say a thing to you about someone using your copyright.  If you're not seen as at least trying to defend your copyright it won't do anything when it actually happens.  Part of that law acknowledges that you can't spot everything.  But if you haven't been seen to do anything for a while your copyright can be considered abandoned.  So the companies have to be seen as going after anything that could possibly be considered infrigement just in case they do miss something.

PS  I'm not trying to bring the government itself into this discussion, but remember something.  The ones that profit most in any settlement are the lawyers.  They get most of the money won, or at least their fee if they loose.  So every time a lawyer gets involved they get paid.  And many politicians, the ones that make the laws, are lawyers.  It's part of the reason the U.S. has so many lawyers percentagewise compared to much of the world.  The laws are designed to require their help to use.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2011, 10:36:46 pm by Drawde »
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counting

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #125 on: August 20, 2011, 11:20:04 pm »

Patented technology, yes, and I'm basing my knowledge off of one video, but afaik you can't copyright a car's shape, and overall look.
You can't patent the leather used in it, or paint.
So patent yes, copyright no.

There is a unique IP right (other than the major 4, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret) for these kind of purposes - Industrial Design Right (with limitation and well defined boundary of course) . There are many other unique (sui generis) rights in IP.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2011, 11:21:53 pm by counting »
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Grakelin

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #126 on: August 20, 2011, 11:30:00 pm »

Counting: I'm not just opposing everything you say. If I was that kind of troll, I would find a user on the forum who is already well-known, because it would be more fun to be a contrarian to them than it is to a random I haven't seen before. It is usually best to reserve accusations of trolling to when the other person stops making sense or adding new things. Not simply because they disagree with you.

That said, here is the reason for 'Quake'ing one's way out of a situation like this:

1) Yes, it's cool. Cool = Advertising. Anybody could tell you that (and they have!). Both sides win.
2) They're not exactly altering the Swedish legal system here. You aren't going to see Sweden legislate official Quake matches if Bethesda accepts. This is a one time event, where the results determine how the companies settle out of court, not a legally sanctioned duel.
3) It's a method of settling out of court. Notch has set terms. Bethesda gets to agree or disagree to these terms.

I actually don't understand why you are wall-of-texting about why this is an impossibility.
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counting

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #127 on: August 21, 2011, 12:46:02 am »

Counting: I'm not just opposing everything you say. If I was that kind of troll, I would find a user on the forum who is already well-known, because it would be more fun to be a contrarian to them than it is to a random I haven't seen before. It is usually best to reserve accusations of trolling to when the other person stops making sense or adding new things. Not simply because they disagree with you.

That said, here is the reason for 'Quake'ing one's way out of a situation like this:

1) Yes, it's cool. Cool = Advertising. Anybody could tell you that (and they have!). Both sides win.
2) They're not exactly altering the Swedish legal system here. You aren't going to see Sweden legislate official Quake matches if Bethesda accepts. This is a one time event, where the results determine how the companies settle out of court, not a legally sanctioned duel.
3) It's a method of settling out of court. Notch has set terms. Bethesda gets to agree or disagree to these terms.

I actually don't understand why you are wall-of-texting about why this is an impossibility.

I think if you particularly pick someone's ("famous" or not) words (in general not personal) is kind of trollish. And the intention of having fun is also very trollish like you said. (Notch is having fun acting childish in a lawsuit situation is actually kind of trollish for law professionals in my opinion). So I think we all agree with this point. And I DO mentioned several time I DO NOT just view people who opposed me as trollish (but using emotional responses). And I do apologies if I used the word too harshly, since I am kind of tired with so many arguments going no where, and I have to write down text wall to explain so many basic IP rights stuff, which someone can easily look them up.

And since you don't want to read text wall. I'll break down into points.

1. I never said it's "IMPOSSIBLE" to happen. You can settlement whatever you want in private settlement. (I mentioned it in my previous text wall.)

2. There are formal channels, and using legal system to settle dispute by the ruling of neutral professional judges.

3. Whether or not different parties choose to go through legal bindings are their own choices (unless it reaches criminal offense, which some cases do and can, they are prosecute by the government).

4. In my opinion I think formal channels and settlement under IP laws system is better than private settlements, it has clear and already established guild line. And private settlements sometime don't actually have the ability to enforce them and made future lawsuits remain at high possibility. Since they depend on the good will of both parties.

5. As you said and I said the private settlement has nothing to do with formal legal lawsuits. So in future events it's not setting precedents in legal system.

6. Considering this has ALREADY going into the legal proceedings (opposed in 7/30) in IP lawsuit, this quake-up settlement is more kind of like a diversion than willingly to go through the proceeding.

7. Think about if Notch wins and get the trademark of "SCROLLS" then sells the trademark to a bigger game company in the future. (like he is done running business and want to retired from public, or just need the extra money. No matter how cool he is, Notch is not immortal). The lawsuit will happen again, but with a much more powerful opponent who can go through years of legal battles with Zenimax. The PR event will cause less now with less money, but lose a lot more and possibly lose the trademark in the future.

Analog story : Like you put up a cool party on the edge of your backyard with your next door neighbor to settle dispute, and people think it's fun/cool. So everyone in the community like you more now. But in the future if someone else moved in next doors, you will have to deal with them being possible trespassers, who may not be so nice, Using arguments/disputes as excuses to extend/claim their backyard directly to your back doorstep, since other bystanders want more and more fun parties and probably don't care about your backyard boarder. And the new malicious neighbors will use it as an opportunity to break into your house stealing. (Even Notch himself can do it if he wins, and he want to. Although I do believe he is quite cool about his image to ruin it). So at the first sign of dispute, it's better to call the cops than settle using fun/cool parties. (legal proceedings can assist to settle the disputes, not necessary going into formal trials, and why most settlements are mostly under the table, if you attract attentions, you are attracting troubles too).

If they do setup as "precedents" in private settlement, and it's designed for PR and cool, I would be happy to watch or even participate them if possible (I am bystander too, and want cool parties). But in my own opinion I don't think it's a good choice for Bethesda/Zenimax here, and Zenimax is running by lawyers (literally), so it's more not likely for them to accept. Bethesda the game developers may want to take it to the level of PR, but the legal proceedings will continue, and their legal advisers were likely to warm them against it. (Forbid them to talk even. The hint of their acceptance will likely end-up used against them in the test of "likelihood of confusion". And I think Notch's action is exactly trying to aim at this. it's not bad for Notch, but bad for future trademark right protection for Zenimax).
« Last Edit: August 21, 2011, 01:21:42 am by counting »
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Individuals trade with each other only through the intermediation of specialist traders called: shops.
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Neonivek

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #128 on: August 21, 2011, 12:53:20 am »

Quote
is kind of trollish

Do you know what a troll is? Given that you called me a troll for "not doing the research" I am starting to wonder.

Being wrong, using bad arguements, and making comments are not in it of themselves trolling, trollish, or being a troll.

You need to calm down.

Quote
In my opinion I think formal channels and settlement under IP laws system is better than private settlements, it has clear and already established guild line. And private settlements sometime don't actually have the ability to enforce them and made future lawsuits remain at high possibility. Since they depend on the good will of both parties

From what I understand breaking a contract doesn't carry a lot of weight legally. That is why there usually have written concequences which can be enforced by law so long as it is legally binding

You generally want private settlements because they have less of a chance to backfire against you and can be controlled in both what information goes out as well as even the nature of the settlement itself. As well private settlements are a lot less final, or at least are easier to alter the agreement later down the line, then those by formal channels.

Though it depends on the nature of what exactly we are talking about.

Though from what I understand sometimes a mixed approach is prefered as until you actually send it through you don't know which way the wind blows and who will have to compromise further then the other.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2011, 01:03:08 am by Neonivek »
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counting

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Re: Controversial copyright and trademark discussion
« Reply #129 on: August 21, 2011, 03:19:56 am »

Quote
is kind of trollish

Do you know what a troll is? Given that you called me a troll for "not doing the research" I am starting to wonder.

Being wrong, using bad arguements, and making comments are not in it of themselves trolling, trollish, or being a troll.

You need to calm down.

Let's just stop the off-topic. And I will look it up the meaning in the dictionary before being a troll myself in the future. It's disrupting discussion long enough. And I formally sincerely apologize of using harsh words to anyone who think they got offended. It's no my intention, I just want a solid and reasonable discussion.

Remember the question I asked very long ago about "imminent infringement", no one even trying to discuss that. It's frustrating. And I believe it a very important points in the discussion, since Notch's game have not being "released" or "manufactured" yet. Hence if the registration is opposed, and the game still not being released or stuck in semi-permanent developing stages like Minecraft (a new business model). How will it affect the claim of trademark infringement? Since no products actually existed yet technically, it's stuck with imminent infringement, and can stay that way for a long time. It's a new territory in gaming trademark. Will the IP laws acknowledge any claims of on-going production games and their names with imminent infringement principle to the growing number of indie developers? That will be hell a lot of works and fun for big company lawyers (and court judges). What level of a "finished" game should it be before it is considered a competition product on the market.

(As when they start charging money? And what about donation mode like DF? Is DF a competition game with Minecraft (if somehow DF is actually called Dwarfcraft)? What if I claim to develop a game that is called "Elf Fortress" and registered the trademark right away without even bother to finish it, will it affect the unregistered "Dwarf Fortress"? Notch already registered Minecraft and trying to enforce it at least once, so how come an unfinished game with registered trademark be a competition product? Will the argument of imminent infringement stands in court if the cellphone minecraft-ish game cases really went to trial?)

Quote
From what I understand breaking a contract doesn't carry a lot of weight legally. That is why there usually have written concequences which can be enforced by law so long as it is legally binding

You generally want private settlements because they have less of a chance to backfire against you and can be controlled in both what information goes out as well as even the nature of the settlement itself. As well private settlements are a lot less final, or at least are easier to alter the agreement later down the line, then those by formal channels.

Though it depends on the nature of what exactly we are talking about.

Though from what I understand sometimes a mixed approach is prefered as until you actually send it through you don't know which way the wind blows and who will have to compromise further then the other.

I don't see Notch mention anything legal binding (but it's not his job anyway). Maybe his lawyers will come up with cool legal binding conditions too. So Notch will still be playing by the book and be cool. I think it can happen, but Zenimax lawyers will probably demand things like transferring trademark "SCROLLS" to them, and licensing it to Notch[1]. I will be a hard reaching deal. And I think certain settlements already taking place for months (since Notch's trademark published at 5/24). Zenimax filed for proceedings to oppose happened at 7/30, already over 2 months. And after 3 months the "SCROLLS" will be formally registered, then there will be no option for proceeding with opposition using this formal settlement channel. (Which can enforce outcome via government) If Zenimax want to jump the gun immediately, they will do it at May/June. So my guesses is that Notch already turn down a lot of private settlements proposed earlier (Notch mentioned one of his proposition to Zenimax, but not specifically mentioned what propositions he got from Zenimax, only vague things). And I think they never reach a final settlement before the cease and desist letter (8/5).

Zenimax filing for opposition actually extended the settlement period using the official "cooling-off" time. It can be extended up to 2 years to stay in this semi-official legal settlement stage. I think it's a sign of good will in lawyer's point of view, and Zenimax lawyers are probably feeling kind of confused that Notch take it as hostile actions and brought it to the level of PR campaigns. Or if Notch is just acting like he is, but not and actually having fun out of it. No one can tell. And I think to brought up cease and desist letter now is a way of using public opinion to form a better ground for Mojang's claim of trademark "SCROLLS".

P.S. A lot of bystanders tended to ignore/not-knowing this (meaning ignore as Notch admitted it himself, even he claimed he "initially" against it, but did it anyway. Sound fishy? I think it's a little). And the  trademark "SCROLLS" is FILED AND get PUBLISHED by Mojang already, not the other way around. So if Notch wins the opposition, all the opinion about how evil Bethesda can claim the IP right of a common word "SCROLLS", is actually applying for Mojang and Notch.

[1] I presume Notch will be reluctant to accept any deal like that, and the matter will not be just the valid of trademark, but also about fairtrade and market competition. It's a way of purchasing out your competitions. You first acquire their IP rights and promise the legal protection for them, exchange for a reasonable licensing fees. Then trying to absorb/pursuit the target company to become part of the integrated media enterprise. And I think Notch wants his own unique business. And I suspect this causes Notch more concern than just the argument of IP rights.

(I wonder if Notch's first intention is to settle this using the fun way from the start. If so, he could brought it up months ago when Zenimax lawyers contacted him. Or was Notch already do it under the table, but Zenimax already refused them under the table as well. And now Notch just brought it up again in a more dramatic way to the public eye for PR value? I am just guessing though, nothing concrete. Perhaps Notch was just too busy as newly weds and ignored his lawyers in the past months and not understood the implications)
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Currency is not excessive, but a necessity.
The stark assumption:
Individuals trade with each other only through the intermediation of specialist traders called: shops.
Nelson and Winter:
The challenge to an evolutionary formation is this: it must provide an analysis that at least comes close to matching the power of the neoclassical theory to predict and illuminate the macro-economic patterns of growth
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