Virtual Legality

In this episode, lawyer Richard Hoeg discusses the recent Warner Brothers studio closures and reflects on the company's history in the video game industry, including Monolith Productions. He focuses on intellectual property issues in gaming, with references to the "No One Lives Forever" series and Monolith's Nemesis System. Richard clarifies different types of intellectual property and common misconceptions, providing legal perspectives on the studio closures and the Nemesis System patent. He explores the future of the Nemesis System, intellectual property licenses, and US Patent and Trademark Office challenges. The episode concludes with Richard's thoughts on the implications of intellectual property in gaming.

LINKS

CLOSURES/NOLF
https://www.polygon.com/news/529310/warner-bros-games-monolith-productions-multiversus-studio-closure
https://kotaku.com/the-sad-story-behind-a-dead-pc-game-that-cant-come-back-1688358811

NEMESIS HEADLINES
https://kotaku.com/monolith-productions-middle-earth-nemesis-system-patent-1851766437
https://www.thegamer.com/warner-bros-owns-nemesis-system-until-2035-despite-monolith-closure/
https://www.ign.com/articles/after-warner-bros-shut-down-shadow-of-mordor-developer-monolith-and-canceled-wonder-woman-fans-lament-the-wasted-potential-of-its-nemesis-system
https://www.eurogamer.net/shadow-of-mordors-brilliant-nemesis-system-is-locked-away-by-a-warner-bros-patent-until-2036-despite-studio-shutdown

IP LAW/CONFUSION
https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/trademark-patent-copyright
https://x.com/BangBangClick/status/1894505752003309829
https://x.com/SynthPotato/status/1894467413502054717

THE PATENT/OPTIONS
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160279522A1/en
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/opinion/is-warners-nemesis-patent-really-gross-im-not-sure-id-go-that-far/
https://michelsonip.com/fundamentals-of-ip-license/
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35/102
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35/103
https://www.theiplawblog.com/2021/03/articles/ip/how-to-challenge-a-patent-in-the-pto/

(0:14) Introduction and Warner Brothers Studio Closures
(0:49) Warner Brothers' Video Game Industry History and Monolith Productions
(3:40) Intellectual Property in Gaming: No One Lives Forever and Nemesis System
(9:09) Intellectual Property Types and Misconceptions
(14:12) Legal Perspectives on Studio Closures and the Nemesis System Patent
(19:07) Future of the Nemesis System and Reflections on Past Discussions
(22:00) Intellectual Property Licenses and USPTO Patent Issues
(26:02) Patent Challenges and Potential Outcomes for the Nemesis System
(28:17) Closing Thoughts on Intellectual Property in Gaming
(29:12) Supporting the Podcast and Final Remarks