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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Deja Vue All Over Again. More Lawsuits

Remember a few years ago when Blackboard claimed to have invented e-learning. (Who invented e-learning? A patent dispute shakes up academic computing) and when Al Gore claimed to have invented the Internet (although this seems to be up for some debate.)

In that spirt of "hey I invented..." another crazy is claiming to have invented virtual worlds and is suing everyone to prove they are right (you know it's the principle not the money.)

Worlds.com is suing because they "invented" virtual worlds. (no they weren't born out of MOOs or MUDs, they weren't the next obvious step in the evolutionary process of online interfaces...it was totally invented by World.com...oh thank you Worlds.com for your wisdom and for initially sharing virtual worlds for free...can I now send you a check).

Here is a quote from the article: Worlds.com CEO: We're 'Absolutely' Going To Sue Second Life And World Of Warcraft
Worlds.com CEO Thom Kidrin is putting the entire virtual worlds industry on notice: His company claims the idea of a scalable virtual world with thousands of users is its patented intellectual property, and Thom told us he intends to sue anyone who refuses to enter into licensing negotiations -- including giants such as Second Life and World of Warcraft, a property of Activision Blizzard (ATVI).
So the interesting thing is this kind of hubris upsets many people and some with deep pockets. In fact, if you can show that virtual worlds existed before World.com, you can get a cool $50,000. All you need to do is offer proof in the way of "prior art" substantiating the idea that the virtual worlds idea existed prior to 1995. Not a bad return for a little research project.

For more details see...$50,000 Reward Offered For Proof Worlds.Com Patent Lawsuit Is Bogus

Finally, and I hate to do this, but...since I invented Learning...yes no one learned anything before I was born...I am suing everyone who ever learned anything. As proof, e-learning, problem-based learning, and hand held mobile devices designed for learning all appeared after I was born...A coincidence, I don't think so. Therefore, please send me money to avoid a costly law suit...you'll be hearing from my lawyer as soon as he catches that ambulance.
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5 comments:

Mark Viquesney said...

I got 3 cents, will that do?

Anonymous said...

I've not laughed this hard in a while. Anybody else remember the Snickers ad right after the "I invented the internet" gaffe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIq58H6CYQU

Guy W. Wallace said...

I'm going to have to get back to this later - as I just don't have the time - but Al Gore did not claim to have invented the Internet. He has gotten to the point where he now jokes about it - because he cannot fight it without seeming silly.

Or you can research it yourselves.

Later.

Guy

Karl Kapp said...

Guy,

Ok, I am willing to let Al Gore off and give him an apology but not for Blackboard or Worlds.com.

Karl

Guy W. Wallace said...

Thanks Karl! No apology needed - speaking for Al :) - But for your many readers...

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

http://sethf.com/gore/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore

http://www.perkel.com/politics/gore/internet.htm

And - I am really looking forward to your and Tony's new book!!!

Thanks for sharing so much. I've really enjoyed learning from you!

Guy