EDGE of Asshattery
- Thread starter Shamus Young
- Start date
I think it would, the wedgie causes both emotional and physical pain, mainly because he'd be thinking "what did I do to deserve this!?"Trujkin said:
It can if he has a lot of very highly paid lawyers on his side. No matter how much the rest of the world can see that what he's doing is morally wrong, if you have enough money you can get away with anything. I'm going to go and wish mental anguish on him now...hamster mk 4 said:
In 1975, a little movie came out called "Jaws." In 1976 a little smaller movie came out called "Jaws of Death." "Jaws of Death" was a silly movie about a guy who has a mystical connection with, you guessed it, sharks. Similar name (including the use of the entire title of the first movie within the title of the second movie), similar intent (ride the coattales of the bigger shark movie) but a totally different plot. Did Universal, or Peter Benchley or Stephen Spielberg sue the maker of "Jaws of Death" (also known in other countries as "Killer Jaws")? No, they did not. Because they're not stupid and they're not.... Um, my Xbox MVP status prohibits my public use of expletives, so image one appropriate to this guy, and say it out loud here. There are many.
Funny, Universal didn't sue them. And strangely enough, Disney has continued to release animated movies named after public domain stories, KNOWING that competitors will release inferior products with the same titles, to capitalize on the success of the Disney flicks. From Snow White to Aladdin, from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, from The Little Mermaid to Pocahontas, Jungle Book, Peter Pan... companies like Starmaker have rushed out their own cheaply animated versions, with similar stories and similarly designed characters - KNOWING that Disney won't have a leg to stand on. (You'll notice that Disney bought the rights to 101 Dalmations. It was not in the public domain, so there aren't a slew of copycats out there.)
The fact that Tim Langdell is getting away with this is ludicrous. Even if they share the name or part of the name, the name of a game is not the same as the name of a studio. God help the studio that ever puts the word "Project" in their name.
It is the pinnacle of arrogance that EDGE would release "MIRRORS a game by EDGE" with Mirrors stacked vertically and in the same color as EDGE. They claim to own "EDGE" and use their font, MIRRORS is in a public domain, simple font similar to the real ME, and "MIRRORS" doesn't have an apostrophe like "Mirror's Edge."
They did it just close enough to piss everybody off, but not close enough that a lawsuit would succeed.
It worked. I'm pissed. The guys needs to be sued into oblivion. Not "Oblivion(tm)"
Funny, Universal didn't sue them. And strangely enough, Disney has continued to release animated movies named after public domain stories, KNOWING that competitors will release inferior products with the same titles, to capitalize on the success of the Disney flicks. From Snow White to Aladdin, from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, from The Little Mermaid to Pocahontas, Jungle Book, Peter Pan... companies like Starmaker have rushed out their own cheaply animated versions, with similar stories and similarly designed characters - KNOWING that Disney won't have a leg to stand on. (You'll notice that Disney bought the rights to 101 Dalmations. It was not in the public domain, so there aren't a slew of copycats out there.)
The fact that Tim Langdell is getting away with this is ludicrous. Even if they share the name or part of the name, the name of a game is not the same as the name of a studio. God help the studio that ever puts the word "Project" in their name.
It is the pinnacle of arrogance that EDGE would release "MIRRORS a game by EDGE" with Mirrors stacked vertically and in the same color as EDGE. They claim to own "EDGE" and use their font, MIRRORS is in a public domain, simple font similar to the real ME, and "MIRRORS" doesn't have an apostrophe like "Mirror's Edge."
They did it just close enough to piss everybody off, but not close enough that a lawsuit would succeed.
It worked. I'm pissed. The guys needs to be sued into oblivion. Not "Oblivion(tm)"
I wonder what would happen if someone release a game with "Halo" in the title, that didn't have anything to do with "Halo". Let's say, for example, a spiritual warfare game called "Halos or Horns." Sure, if it was about a ringworld... or, if someone made a game called "Ringworld", they'd have issues.
The words "War" and "Warfare" don't seem to be a problem. EA's rights to the NFL didn't keep All Pro FOOTBALL from hitting shelves.
What if you named a game "Epic Fail" or "Bungie Jumping"? "Naughty Dogsledding" might be pushing it.
The words "War" and "Warfare" don't seem to be a problem. EA's rights to the NFL didn't keep All Pro FOOTBALL from hitting shelves.
What if you named a game "Epic Fail" or "Bungie Jumping"? "Naughty Dogsledding" might be pushing it.
I also couldn't help but notice the distinct similarities between the two logos. Interestingly, in the "About the Edge" it actually makes a reference to Edge Magazine. In the years I've read that particular magazine, I've known them to have ever been involved with Edge Games, so unless I'm missing something.BobisOnlyBob said:
Also, trying to get one other thing straight - Edge Games, have recently submitted for a trademark for the name Edge of Twilight. Given that the game Edge of Twilight has, according to the TIG Source site, been around since at least 2007, would the actual developer have not already pre-emptively made their claim against that name?
I'm sure if someone decided to do enough homework, they could work-up a lawsuit against Langdell for running a company that's a blatant "Trademark Exploiter". Then again, knowing American law, I wouldn't be surprised if it's completely legitimate for someone to run a company who's entire purpose for existing is to sue other companies for money.
People like him are exactly what's wrong with America, honestly. Far more people get rewarded for sitting around and doing nothing, and far too many people get punished after putting a lot of work into something.
People like him are exactly what's wrong with America, honestly. Far more people get rewarded for sitting around and doing nothing, and far too many people get punished after putting a lot of work into something.
This just goes to show how screwed the copyright system is over where Langdell runs free.
I have no hatred for this man, but justice should be done. If he has claimed even a cent from these actions, every last bit of it - plus damages - should be repaid to his victims.
I have no hatred for this man, but justice should be done. If he has claimed even a cent from these actions, every last bit of it - plus damages - should be repaid to his victims.
You trademark logos, not words. Or else Mattel would be suing every woman who went by a common nickname for Barbara, because they could. There is a gray area where if you're obviously referring to an already trademarked item, you may need to get permission from the Trademark holders or at least acknowledge the trademark, but still.
What boggles me is why no one has just sucked it up and gone to court with this guy. I can't imagine how he would win, army of lawyers or no. Especially the people who made Soul Caliber. Really? The makers/distributors of that big a game couldn't just deal with it and show this guy for the moron he is? I'm not sure what confuses me more... the fact that this guy even tried this, or the fact that people let him get away with it.
What boggles me is why no one has just sucked it up and gone to court with this guy. I can't imagine how he would win, army of lawyers or no. Especially the people who made Soul Caliber. Really? The makers/distributors of that big a game couldn't just deal with it and show this guy for the moron he is? I'm not sure what confuses me more... the fact that this guy even tried this, or the fact that people let him get away with it.
The reason people dont go to court is that any half decent (as in skill not morales) lawyer can tie up proceedings for quiet a long time, and during that time you cant publish the title in question...so you are not getting returns on your investment, and you are losing the title launch window ( a title launched too long after the hype would suffer as a result of the delay ).
Essentially a large part of trademark trolling is timing , as the article indicated.
I would be suprised if a court actually ruled in favour of Tim in most of these cases but as already stated , the time involved would ruin most indie devs and ruin investment even to a large name dev house.
Thats how large companies / corperate entities successfully bully individuals and smaller entities... by threatening legal actions where the lawyers hold up proceedings for years until the targets funds dry up and they can no longer afford to continue proceedings...and must default.
Justice my friends, is expensive... and just cause doesnt pay the bills.
Essentially a large part of trademark trolling is timing , as the article indicated.
I would be suprised if a court actually ruled in favour of Tim in most of these cases but as already stated , the time involved would ruin most indie devs and ruin investment even to a large name dev house.
Thats how large companies / corperate entities successfully bully individuals and smaller entities... by threatening legal actions where the lawyers hold up proceedings for years until the targets funds dry up and they can no longer afford to continue proceedings...and must default.
Justice my friends, is expensive... and just cause doesnt pay the bills.
