4 ms·

Solid analysis. What I want to know is... what exactly is enforceable, in this specific case? The reason that I ask is that, Carmack has stated that nothing h

by Arjuna 12y ago

Solid analysis. What I want to know is... what exactly is enforceable, in this specific case? The reason that I ask is that, Carmack has stated that nothing he has worked on has been patented ("No work I have ever done has been patented." [1]), so, presumably, there is nothing to enforce in that area with regard to code or algorithms. Also, Carmack has publicly discussed many VR details in technical blog posts and demonstrations, but to my knowledge, we have not seen ZeniMax attempt to prevent these discussions from occurring (i.e., Cease and Desist). Presumably, those details were not viewed as critical to this discussion, but it is an interesting point to note. I suspect that concepts and processes could be covered under trade secret IP law, but in the case of software in specific, it would seem the safer bet to have patents in place if possible (but again, according to Carmack, he has not worked on patentable work.) The question here is, "If ZeniMax saw potential IP to enforce, then why didn't they attempt to protect it via patents?" I am officially raising the grellas [2] Bat Signal. I would love to read his thoughts on this topic in general. [1] https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/461918500307472384 https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/461918500307472384 [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=grellas https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=grellas

jacquesm 12y ago
No code is a hole large enough to drive a truck through, copyright covers a lot more than just code (for instance, design documents). The code written could easily be a derivative work of something that Id held copyright to. That will be harder to prove than an outright copyright violation. But if any files made it from Id to Carmacks subsequent employers it is going to be very hairy. ZeniMax may have found that the IP was already patented by other parties or that they decided they did not wish to patent it. That does not mean they relinquish all their rights.
- malandrew 12y ago
  Yeah, but even copyright on a design document doesn't constitute ownership of an idea. You can produce cliffs notes summarizing or explaining the content of a design document without violating copyright.

by Arjuna 12y ago

jacquesm 12y ago

No code is a hole large enough to drive a truck through, copyright covers a lot more than just code (for instance, design documents). The code written could easily be a derivative work of something that Id held copyright to. That will be harder to prove than an outright copyright violation. But if any files made it from Id to Carmacks subsequent employers it is going to be very hairy. ZeniMax may have found that the IP was already patented by other parties or that they decided they did not wish to patent it. That does not mean they relinquish all their rights.

malandrew 12y ago
Yeah, but even copyright on a design document doesn't constitute ownership of an idea. You can produce cliffs notes summarizing or explaining the content of a design document without violating copyright.