In what may be a case of nonsensical decision making, bad PR, or both, the lawyers behind Bethesda sent a letter to Minecraft creator Markus Persson claiming that his company’s next game, Scrolls, “infringes on their trademark and everyone will confuse it with Skyrim.”
We’re certainly not confused and don’t expect any gamers to be either since no one refers to Morrowind, Oblivion or Skyrim as “The Elder Scrolls #” but that’s the predicament Notch found himself in days before his wedding. Returning from his weekend tying the knot with a happy mindset, Notch just proposed the ultimate solution to this legal matter: a fight to the death! Well, a digital death.
Posting on his blog moments ago, Notch challenges Bethesda to a game of Quake 3 to resolve the stupidity dispute over Scrolls.
“The only negative thing going on at this moment is the Scrolls trademark lawsuit nonsense, and I think I came up with the perfect solution:
Remember that scene in Game of Thrones where Tyrion chose a trial by battle in the Aerie? Well, let’s do that instead!
I challenge Bethesda to a game of Quake 3. Three of our best warriors against three of your best warriors. We select one level, your select the other, we randomize the order. 20 minute matches, highest total frag count per team across both levels wins.If we win, you drop the lawsuit.
If you win, we will change the name of Scrolls to something you’re fine with.
Regardless of the outcome, we could still have a small text somewhere saying our game is not related to your game series in any way, if you wish.”
This is a genius (and entertaining) move by Notch since the growing fanbase behind Minecraft will be on his side and very vocal about it online. And now every chance media gets with Bethesda, they will be asked to comment and respond to this challenge. A challenge, we hope, sets a new legal precedent for years to come!
In all seriousness, the noun “Scrolls” shouldn’t be a bone of contention with Bethesda or their parent company ZeniMax and sending a letter like that to an internet celebrity is a poor tactic and unnecessary. Bethesda won’t gain or “win” in the end and everyone who wants Skyrim – that includes the entire staff at Game Rant – will get Skyrim without being confused by Scrolls.
We’re team Mojang on this one, so please send us T-shirts.
Minecraft exits beta status on November 11, 2011, the same day The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim releases.
-
Follow me on Twitter @rob_keyes.
Source: Notch
What You May Not Know About The ‘Xbox One’ [Updated] 
Xbox One: Watch The Next-Gen Xbox Presentation Here! 
Electronic Arts Engineer Blasts the Wii U 
Rare Bringing ‘Historic’ Franchise to Xbox One; Reveal at E3 2013 
Loading ...
Anyway, I laughed heartily when I saw this on his Tumblr. All he needs as a fallback is a sellsword who can fight their law team.
I understand why Bethesda is worried…but I’m on Mojang’s side. Their copyright doesn’t fall over “Scrolls” it falls over “Elder Scrolls” (and each sequel or subtitle of the games). Plus, from what I can see, the games are absolutely nothing alike. Bethesda’s only grounds for the lawsuit is that their basically saying people are stupid enough to confuse the two games.
I agree. I think Bethesda is being greedy over a word. I mean If I say I’m going to play Skyrim, I’m going to say I’m going to play Skyrim, not “scrolls”. I might say “I’m going to play Elder Scrolls”. I wouldn’t refer their games as just the word “Scrolls”. Hopefully Bethesda will drop it and let Mojang just develop their game in peace and harmony. Though it would be interesting to see who would prevail in Quake 3.
They need to film this duel and stream it live. I’d watch this battle. Even if it’s just a friendly match without a lawsuit hinging on it.
i hope they show it live, that would be amazing!!!!
I enjoy Bethesda’s games much more than minecraft. Most people I talk to do refer to the series as the Elder Scrolls. But no one I know is going to get it confused. I think this move was unnecessary but I still back up my favorite videogame creators 100%
Hell, I don’t even know what Quake 3 is and I’d watch it if they streamed it live. And possibly made an epic Youtube video about it.
One of the first big multiplayer FPS games. Fast-paced arena action.
quakelive[dot]com is very much like it.
oh i LOVE that! wish government would solve their differences that way
2 hour game of SimCity. Best approval rating wins.
Ha I like this idea
If this were streamed live, I would indeed be cheering the entire time. I’d tell everyone to watch.
But, either way, this is a nice light-hearted way to settle this bullcrap. Gooooooo Mojang!
Ok, call me gay or whatever, but that pic of the kittens play fighting is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, lol.
its cute yes… but a guy thinking something is cute doesnt mean said guy is gay.
and those look like the kind of kittens that play kill not play fight.
They might be Bengal kittens, I’m not sure though. Bengal cats, obviously not bengal tigers, lol. I want one but they are expensive since they are bred…
Send in bronn!
That’s probably the best header ever. Well done, Rob.
Imagine if Bethesda wins.. they could ask them to name it, “Nothing at Like the Elder Scrolls”, “That thing that came before books”, or even “Ham-Sammich”.
lol, imagine if politics were like this. McCain vs Obama might have ended differently if it were a online tf2 battle or something, hahahahaha