There are few people in the software industry smart enough to realize that software patents mainly succeed in holding innovation back. Even fewer among this group are people who create something awesome, watch other people clone the idea, and acknowledge the clones did not take their code nor logo and let them be. Markus Persson (aka Notch, creator of Minecraft) is one of these few people, and consumers are benefiting by having options like FortressCraft, Total Miner, and exciting new ideas like Guncraft.
The people over at Uniloc must not share the same appreciation for innovation as Notch does. According to Uniloc, the Android version of “Mindcraft” (because they can sue better than they can spell) violates patent number 6,857,067, a “system and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data”. Notch has taken this opportunity to post about patent infringement, and has also stated: “if needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don’t get a cent.”
Notch, if you end up reading this, please consider my purchase of the infringing copy of “Mindcraft” my contribution to your goal of making sure Uniloc doesn’t get a dime. Also, if you’ve got the spare time, I’d love to see “Mindcraft” turned into a real game. The name sounds epic.
Anyone wishing to know more about the lawsuit can view the legal document.
Also, take a look at this section of Uniloc’s Wikipedia page… Nuff’ said.
