Federal Jury Finds Violations in Activision Blizzard-Owned Call of Duty and World of Warcraft
Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the gaming giant faces legal repercussions as a federal jury in Delaware rules against the company for patent infringement. The lawsuit, brought forth by Acceleration Bay, alleges violations related to multiplayer features in popular titles such as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and World of Warcraft, resulting in a significant fine of $23.4 million.
Acceleration Bay’s patents, originally held by Boeing, pertain to technology facilitating simultaneous information sharing among widely distributed computers, a fundamental aspect of Activision Blizzard’s multiplayer gaming experience. Despite Activision Blizzard’s claims of technological differentiation, the jury’s decision asserts otherwise, assigning damages of $5.4 million for the Call of Duty franchise and $18 million for World of Warcraft.
In response to the verdict, Activision Blizzard expressed its intent to appeal, emphasizing its non-use of the patented technologies in question.
“While we are disappointed, we believe there is a strong basis for appeal. We have never used the patented technologies at issue in our games,” the company stated.
The possibility of a settlement outside of court remains open, although legal filings from Activision Blizzard suggest a significant disparity between the two parties’ perspectives on potential damages, with the company advocating for a limit of $300,000 or less.
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding intellectual property rights within the gaming industry have far-reaching implications that extend beyond the immediate parties involved. At the heart of these proceedings lies a fundamental question about the ownership and protection of creative works and technological innovations in an increasingly competitive and interconnected landscape.
For established franchises, such as those embroiled in the current legal disputes, the outcome of these proceedings could set important precedents regarding the use and adaptation of their intellectual property. Decisions made by courts could shape the future trajectory of these franchises, influencing everything from their licensing agreements to their ability to innovate and expand into new markets.