Electronic Arts has responded to a lawsuit by notorious trademark troll Tim Langdell by filing one of their own. In June, Mr. Langdell - who owns a couple of trademarks related to the word "Edge" - filed suit against EA, claiming that EA violated his trademark with their Mirror's Edge game. EA is now counter suing Mr. Langdell on behalf of not only themselves but other developers who have run afoul of Mr Langdell's suits.
The suit uses strong language, alleging that Mr. Langdell "deceived" the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and stating that there has been no good faith use of any of his trademarks. They make a point to note that all of the games Mr. Langdell has developed are for "long-since obsolete" systems like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and the Amiga - and are calling for the abolishment of Mr. Langdell's claim over the trademarks.
Tim Langdell has turned his work on a few mediocre games in the 80s into a cottage industry of bullying smaller developers and publishers into paying him ransom money while abusing the American patent system. Furthermore, he has a history of non-payment of people that work with him; this article at TIGSource, and the links contained within, are a fascinating read. However, it appears that he has awoken a sleeping giant in EA, who have the resources to pound away at Langdell and his company in ways that smaller developers don't have.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
The suit uses strong language, alleging that Mr. Langdell "deceived" the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and stating that there has been no good faith use of any of his trademarks. They make a point to note that all of the games Mr. Langdell has developed are for "long-since obsolete" systems like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and the Amiga - and are calling for the abolishment of Mr. Langdell's claim over the trademarks.
Tim Langdell has turned his work on a few mediocre games in the 80s into a cottage industry of bullying smaller developers and publishers into paying him ransom money while abusing the American patent system. Furthermore, he has a history of non-payment of people that work with him; this article at TIGSource, and the links contained within, are a fascinating read. However, it appears that he has awoken a sleeping giant in EA, who have the resources to pound away at Langdell and his company in ways that smaller developers don't have.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
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