# Is this an enforceable patent? (Worlds.com suing MMO's)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-enforceable-patent-worlds-com-suing-mmos/479219>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 30, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-enforceable-patent-worlds-com-suing-mmos/479219 "2008-12-30T15:35:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-enforceable-patent-worlds-com-suing-mmos/479219/21 "2009-01-01T01:41:34Z")

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> [@neuroman](#):
>
> Well, don’t forget that in determining whether something was “obvious,” you are not allowed to use hindsight. The software world moves quickly, and 9+ years can include multiple generations of technology.
> 
> In other words, you are supposed to put yourself in the shoes of someone with skill in software development in 1999, the time the patent was filed. Just because everyone’s using something _now_ doesn’t mean that it was obvious _then_.

Ultima Online, undoubtedly a clear example of an MMO as described in this thread and in the patent, was released in 1997… so even by 1999 this gaming model was well established.

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**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-enforceable-patent-worlds-com-suing-mmos/479219/22 "2009-01-01T02:31:02Z")

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There’s something fundamentally wrong with a system where the most lucrative way to make money off a patent is to _not_ develop it, wait for other people to do it without noticing your patent, and then sue them after they’ve built a successful industry.

So, I take it that they’re not suing Blizzard because they want a precedent or settlement with someone with less money for lawyers under their belt first?

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**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-an-enforceable-patent-worlds-com-suing-mmos/479219/23 "2009-01-01T02:39:59Z")

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Ah Air Warrior, I first flew in that in 1988.

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