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Uh Oh, 3D games illegal?

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Techokami

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 03:13 PM

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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/03/game_cos_3d_lawsuit/

QUOTE

A US legal firm specialising into corporate law is taking the world's biggest computer games publishers to task over what it claims is the violation of a 1987 3D graphics patent.

The patent, number 4,734,690 is owned one-time printing and graphics specialist Tektronix and covers the display in 2D of a 3D image. It was filed in April 1987 and granted almost a year later.

The technique described is used by almost every game that uses 3D modelling, from the latest titles right back to the likes of Quake and possibly right back to Doom and even Wolfenstein - all products of the 1990s. It covers the use of a 3D space - the UAC HQ on Mars, say - to encompass one or more 3D objects - half a dozen Cacodeamons, say. The patent details how panning across the scene - sidestepping past a plasma bolt, say - can be realistically depicted on a 2D display, such as a computer monitor.

Given its ubiquity, the firm behind the suit, Dallas, Texas-based McKool Smith, has named all the big guns in the gaming industry, including Electronic Arts, Activision, Take Two, Ubisoft, Atari, THQ, Vivendi Universal, Sega, Square Enix, Tecmo, Lucasarts and Namco. Some smaller firms are also in line for action, apparently.

Prior art may yet come to their rescue. Early 3D games, such as The Colony and Spectre, released in the late 1980s, may just come in ahead of the 1987 filing. Early CAD and 3D graphics apps may also utilise the kind of process outlined in the patent, which doesn't explicitly focus on games, though that's clearly where the money is these days. Heck, even Elite, from the BBC Micro days, might well utilise such a techique. ®

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Web

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 03:16 PM

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What the....

WTF!? 3D MODELING USED IN VIDEO GAMES ILLEGAL!? *dies*

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QUOTE

Dude the hidden is totally high and hopped up on 'roids, probably thinks the IRIS are giant teddybears with magical happy gumdrop shooting pinstriped candy canes or something

Citrus

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 03:23 PM

not dead yet
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I don't think this lawsuit will get anywhere at all.

QUOTE

3D MODELING USED IN VIDEO GAMES ILLEGAL!?

Definitely not. Unless this wierdo wins... We'll be forced to return to 2D o.o
Thats not going to happen though.

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Techokami	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 03:58 PM
Quit Stalin! Group: MFGG Security Ninja Posts: 7507 Member No.: 30 Joined: 13-October 03 Status: (0d)	This lawsuit is gonna be shot down fast... maybe. It might make it. o.o --------------------

Web

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 04:09 PM

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QUOTE (Knuckles T15 @ Nov 3 2004, 03:58 PM)

This lawsuit is gonna be shot down fast... maybe. It might make it. o.o

If it makes it....*shudders*

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QUOTE

Dude the hidden is totally high and hopped up on 'roids, probably thinks the IRIS are giant teddybears with magical happy gumdrop shooting pinstriped candy canes or something

Techokami

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 04:35 PM

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QUOTE (Web @ Nov 3 2004, 04:09 PM)

QUOTE (Knuckles T15 @ Nov 3 2004, 03:58 PM)

This lawsuit is gonna be shot down fast... maybe. It might make it. o.o

If it makes it....*shudders*

I know.

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Captain Jeff Silvers	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 04:46 PM
Admins Can Do That!™ Group: Admins Posts: 30098 Member No.: 9 Joined: 13-October 03 Status: (0d)	I'm not sure if this applies to patents or not, but if a trademark or copyright is used frequently enough without permission and the copyright owners take no action (such as the word escalator, which was once a copywritten brandname of escalating stairs), it becomes public domain. Because this is the first I've heard of this csae, I would assume this would fall under this same basic idea (although like I said, I'm not sure if it applies to patents). --------------------

DJ Yoshiman	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 04:50 PM
My post is to the right. Group: Moderators Posts: 18175 Member No.: 141 Joined: 16-November 03 Status: (0d)	Nintendo will still be able to make Mario and Zelda and Kirby 3D, though. It didn't include Nintendo or Sony in there. -------------------- The Music of DJ Yoshiman - Official Website Latest News: I Like To Bonk It Bonk It NUMBER OF TRIALS: 12

Citrus

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 04:59 PM

not dead yet
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QUOTE (Yoshiman @ Nov 3 2004, 10:50 PM)

Nintendo will still be able to make Mario and Zelda and Kirby 3D, though. It didn't include Nintendo or Sony in there.

The article did not print the entire list of companies being sued. Just a few.

Semi-interesting fact: SEGA own the patent for switchable camera angles. They first used it in some Saturn racing game. They have never tried to stop anyone else using the concept though.

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DJ Yoshiman	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:02 PM
My post is to the right. Group: Moderators Posts: 18175 Member No.: 141 Joined: 16-November 03 Status: (0d)	Well, this thingie won't get far, anyways. -------------------- The Music of DJ Yoshiman - Official Website Latest News: I Like To Bonk It Bonk It NUMBER OF TRIALS: 12

Citrus

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:23 PM

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Another report of the same story

QUOTE

"Publishers should be very worried. They might have a leg to stand on from a legal standpoint. It's not impossible that McKool Smith will win. A lot of very smart people are taking this very seriously. Common sense says it's ridiculous, and from a moral standpoint it's outrageous," the [anonymous publisher] employee said.

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Binky

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:33 PM

I do stuff, and something and always do this when that something

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Actually, I think the guy has a pretty good chance of winning, though i don't hope it. God, this is the president election all over again. O.o

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[03:20:20]Jordy | Kuu! :V says:
i prefer it long and comfy D:

WE WENT TO OURAN TOGETHER AFTER ALL~

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Joey	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:34 PM
You like Huey Lewis and The News? Group: Wiki Sysops Posts: 28406 Member No.: 45 Joined: 13-October 03 Status: (0d)	If Bush got re-elected by a landslide then there is a chance this guy will win. --------------------

Citrus	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:36 PM
not dead yet Group: Members Posts: 18197 Member No.: 145 Joined: 19-November 03 Status: (0d)	Thankfully, this is not decided by a country's majority vote :o --------------------

Nicholas Ainsworth	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:38 PM
cue fanfare Group: Global Moderators Posts: 25399 Member No.: 621 Joined: 27-September 04 Status: (0d)	Geez, this is bullcrap. I just hope it goes under like the McDonald's lawsuits. -------------------- Currently seeking talented and dedicated Python users for assistance with an important project. PM me for details.

Parakarry	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:40 PM
Mail call! Group: Site Staff Posts: 30359 Member No.: 34 Joined: 13-October 03 Status: (0d)	Um, pretty much every game now is 3D. I dont see how it could stop like this. -------------------- DIAMOND FRIEND CODE: 2320 2606 8172

Citrus	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 05:44 PM
not dead yet Group: Members Posts: 18197 Member No.: 145 Joined: 19-November 03 Status: (0d)	IF this is a 'success' (it wont be) this is what will happen: -Publishers will be forced to hand over huge wads of cash to this company -Some of the publishers will wither up and die -For every 3D game made using this 'technique' (which is very broad) the publisher will have to ask permission and pay money to the company, or get money taken from them -2D games... these won't be affected by the patent. A lot more of these may suddenly start reappearing. -That company will be filthy rich through disgusting abuse of patents. -People will want the patent to become public domain, maybe even a re-jig of patent laws --------------------

Yoshimaster	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 06:23 PM
Magical 404 Group: Members Posts: 6475 Member No.: 25 Joined: 13-October 03 Status: (0d)	Holy **, think of what'll happen if they win. The huge amounts of money they'll win is almost apocalyptic. But the people who are pushing this thing are jackasses. If this goes through, it could very well trigger a bigger video game crash than in the early 80's. This post has been edited by Yoshimaster** on Nov 3 2004, 06:24 PM -------------------- Fanfiction.net Account - Fictionpress Account DeviantArt Account - Reference Picture

Citrus	Posted: Nov 3 2004, 06:26 PM
not dead yet Group: Members Posts: 18197 Member No.: 145 Joined: 19-November 03 Status: (0d)	A way of having 3D without violating the patent would be to use some sort of hologram generator. They won't need to. They won't win this. But if they do then laws should be qickly changed... --------------------

Techokami

Posted: Nov 3 2004, 07:08 PM

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Citrus: They have an update on that article:

QUOTE

Update: McKool Smith Suit Targets 19 Hardware Manufacturers
In the continuing story of the law firm McKool Smith vs. seemingly everyone who ever made anything to create 3-D images, we've discovered that many more patents are actually involved, and now 19 hardware manufacturers are now considered "infringers" also. Full details within...

Link here
Death to patents >=O

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