Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Interplay Entertainment Corporation

 

Bethesda Softworks LLC诉Interplay Entertainment Corporation是一场正在进行的法律纠纷。争执双方是Bethesda Softworks与Interplay，两者分别是辐射系列版权现在的所有者和辐射系列前作的发行商。It concerns alleged trademark infringement in connection with past and future Fallout products.

背景

Herve Caen，Interplay的董事长

2006年11月，Interplay提交了一份关于可能开发辐射背景大型多人在线游戏的8-K表格给美国证券交易委员会（SEC）。2007年4月，辐射3的开发商Bethesda Softworks用575万美元购买了整个辐射系列的知识产权，虽然Bethesda同时买下了辐射MMO的知识产权，但协议的附加条款仍然允许Interplay开发MMO。条件是必须在协议生效（2007年4月4日）后的24个月内开始游戏的开发，并且Interplay必须在这段时间内筹集三千万美元，否则将立刻失去开发权。此外Interplay还须在开发开始后四年内启动MMO的运营，同时将销售额及用户缴纳费用的12%支付给Bethesda公司。

2009年4月2日，Interplay与一家保加利亚开发商Masthead Studios公布了一封合作意向书，以资助开发V13计划。Masthead与Interplay的团队将会在Interplay的指导下完成整款游戏的开发。

2009年4月15日，Bethesda Softworks决定撤回辐射大型多人在线角色扮演游戏的开发执照。Bethesda认为Interplay未能按协议在2009年4月4日前全面展开游戏开发及筹得足够资金，因而向Interplay要求终止商标许可协议。Interplay拒绝了这些要求。

时间轴

2009年9月8日，Bethesda向马里兰地方法院提出了对Interplay的侵权诉讼。

2009年12月10日，马里兰地方法院决定驳回Bethesda对预先禁令的请求。Interplay因而得以在整场诉讼结束前继续开发V13计划。

Issues covered by the lawsuit

辐射网络版

V13计划的概念图，Natiq Aghayev作

Bethesda认为Interplay未能按协议在2009年4月4日前全面展开游戏开发及筹得足够资金，因而向Interplay要求终止商标许可协议。Interplay disputes these claims and still maintains that it has the right to develop Project V13, assumed to be the Fallout MMO in question, together with Bulgaria-based Masthead Studios.

Pre-existing Fallout games

辐射三部曲封面

While Interplay was permitted to sell Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics after the sale of the IP to Bethesda, the contract required all advertising, packaging and other promotional material to be sent to Bethesda for approval first, which, according to the lawsuit, was never done regarding neither the Fallout Trilogy pack, nor any of the releases through Good Old Games, Steam and other digital distribution platforms. Bethesda also claims that the name Trilogy constitutes unfair competition, since it suggests that the pack includes Fallout 3.

Glutton Creeper Games

Interplay claims that Bethesda's termination of its contract with Glutton Creeper Games regarding the license to develop and publish Fallout Pen and Paper d20 was illegal. Bethesda holds that Interplay had no rights to license it in the first place, since it was forbidden to do so by the 2004 Exclusive Licensing Agreement.

Future rights to the franchise

According to Interplay, Bethesda interfering in their digital download deals with GameTap, GOG, etc. by sending these companies letters claiming that Interplay has no rights to the Fallout titles constitutes unreasonable interference/withholding of permission. Interplay argues that it is Bethesda that is in fact in breach of the contract, which makes the sale of the rights to the franchise null and void, bringing back into effect the former contract, that only gives Bethesda the rights to publish three Fallout games, including Fallout 3.

外部链接

• Court filings