Submission + - WizKids Sues Wizards of the Coast over Game Patent (gamingreport.com)
Anonymous Coward writes: "WizKids Games (makers of HeroClix) is suing Wizards of the Coast (makers of Magic: the Gathering), seeking judgment that their Pirates game does not infringe on a recently granted patent. From the article:
The patent in question is for a "Constructible Strategy Game," where players build models from punch-out cards sold in booster packs. The Pirates game seems to fit the patent description perfectly. A game designer that worked on the project that spurred the patent left Wizards of the Coast in mid-development to work for WizKids. The Pirates game was announced shortly thereafter."
The suit asks the judge to declare that the Pirates game does not infringe and seek to stop Wizards of the Coast from pursuing any legal action.[T]he suit claims that WOTC contacted WizKids via a letter in May 2004 concerning the filing of the patent, and that WOTC asserted that WizKids Pirates game fell squarely within many of the proposed claims of the pending patent application. WOTC warned that when the patent [was] issued, WOTC would have the right to sue WizKids for an injunction and damages. WOTC threatened that it would take legal action against WizKids if or when a patent was allowed if WizKids did not cease and desist selling its Pirates game. WizKids responded to the letter on June 4, 2004, denying that the Pirates game was within the scope of any of the then pending claims of WOTCs patent application.
The patent in question is for a "Constructible Strategy Game," where players build models from punch-out cards sold in booster packs. The Pirates game seems to fit the patent description perfectly. A game designer that worked on the project that spurred the patent left Wizards of the Coast in mid-development to work for WizKids. The Pirates game was announced shortly thereafter."
