Are You Kidding Me? - 9/27/2011

Seriously, you're kidding me. Bethesda, powerhouse developer of "The Elder Scrolls" series, and Mojang AB, developer of the indie mega-hit "Minecraft" have been unable to come to an amiable agreement over Mojang's new game "Scrolls." Bethesda's legal team is apparently insisting that because the developer trademarked "The Elder Scrolls," ... they also have a trademark on the word "Scrolls," and is taking legal action against Mojang.

... seriously?!

The fact that this has not gone away yet is ridiculous on its face. Bethesda is not making a good name for itself with this lawsuit. By their logic, because they have a trademark on "The Elder Scrolls," no other game developer should be able to use "The" in their game titles either.

Seriously.

See Gamespot's news story for more details.

Are You Kidding Me? - 8/5/2011

Bethesda is apparently aiming to be known as the game developer company where you can be involved in lawsuits. Via gamebanshee, Minecraft Creator Mojang AB has received a 15-page letter from the Fallout and Elder Scrolls developer, which alleges that Mojang AB's new game "Scrolls" infringes the copyright of the "Elder Scrolls" property.

Mm. Frivolous much? Somehow I'm getting the impression that the lawyers over at Bethesda are underworked and overpaid.

Bethesda has also been engaged in a legal tug-of-war with Interplay over the development of a potential Fallout MMO.