Legal Saga Between Mojang and Bethesda Over ‘Scrolls’ Trademark Continues

Six weeks ago, Markus Persson, better known as Notch, developer of sandbox construction game Minecraft, received a letter from Bethesda’s legal department. In that letter, he was advised that his studio, Mojang, which is currently working on a digital trading card game called Scrolls, was in violation of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls trademark. Notch acknowledged this on his Twitter account with the following: “Just got a letter from Bethesta’s lawyers. They claim “Scrolls” infringes on their trademark and everyone will confuse it with Skyrim.”

Earlier today, Notch tweeted a follow up to the story, indicating that the Scrolls case would be heading to court. Notch has previously stated that Bethesda’s claim is “bogus,” as consumers were unlikely to confuse his firm’s game with Skyrim or any other Elder Scrolls property. Referring to Bethesda’s letter as “lawyers being lawyers” at the time, Notch jokingly suggested the two firms could settle the dispute via a friendly game of Quake 3. Instead, it looks like they’ll be duking it out in court.

What do you think about the impending legal battle? Does Bethesda have a strong case to make, or is their claim of trademark violation unfounded?

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  • Grantangry

    Personally, I am a really big fan of bethesda and I would normally agree with them on a lot of issues…but this is utter crap xP Anyone that confuses a game like “Scrolls” for “Elder Scrolls: Skyrim” probably should not be allowed out in public.

  • Akhenrah

    I agree with the first post. Bethesda is a great company with some amazing IP, but come on, now. The two games aren’t remotely similar in genre, nor do the logos bare an obvious resemblance. Not only that, but they obviously refused to settle the dispute in any cordial way. Believe me, from gamer point of view, I won’t confuse Scrolls with Skyrim. If anyone does, it’s sheer idiocy and has nothing to do with property similarities. Here’s hoping Notch comes out on top.

  • Grantangry

    Amen. ;-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1009478830 J.g. Lukaras

    if the game was called “scrolls of the elders” i could see a problem arising.