Question

Global GamingSesamWare is a Japanese software company responsible for the most popular open source software available on the market today. In operation since the mid-1990s, SesamWare, initially gained international acclaim with an online, multiplayer, fantasy dimension game called Parallelworld Parallelwodd, was the most popular game in the world between 2004 and 2007, with over 300 million worldwide gamers at its peak in 2006. Today, the SesamWare, software--initially installed as part of the bundle downloaded by hundreds of millions of gamers around the globe to play Parallelwodd is used by those same hundreds of millions of users for all other computer and online activities. The open source code was so user friendly that the software was easily adapted to every facet of computer life for all platforms and operating, networking, navigation and security systems. Outrage Like other SesamWare, software, Parallelwodd was designed using the open source methodology that allowed all users to potentially be co-developers. Beyond the allure of the open source tactic, Parallelworld's fame grew from its realism. The initial premise of the game was an uncanny replication of the current global scenario, including the minutest details of everything from geography and politics to economic stability, famous individuals and even weather patterns. The SesamWare global marketing campaign urged users to become the virtual incarnation of almost anybody in the world and to use their character status to change, subvert, continue or improve the course of civilization. In other words, users could control the world virtually Millions of people accepted the licensing agreement and downloaded the open source game ware, adopting a character and participating in the dynamism of the parallel wedd Alarmed and eventually outraged with the attention given to their online character versions and the actions and decisions being made in their likenesses, governments, policy makers and other famous individuals called for the plug to be pulled on the game, citing intellectual property (IP) infringements. It took years for the various cease and desist orders to be enforced across the globe. The unprecedented popularity of the game internationally, coupled with the open nature of its development and SesamWare conducting all transactions online, caused the legal process to progress slowly. In fact, by the time most countries got around to shutting down the game, most users had already lost interest. Real World CompetitionBx 2006. SesamWare was by far the dominant software company in the world.baxing acquired many of its competitors along the way. Initially, when the licences were first made available to users, the contract agreement obligated users to pay an annual fee of USD 5.99 to keep using the software. This low fee made it nearly impossible for many software companies to compete, and most of the competitors were either bought by Sesam Ware or went out of business within three years. The fee remained relatively unchanged until the competition phased out. But by 2010, the annual licensing fee had increased to USD 150. When asked to justify the increase, SesamWare cited a clause in the online contract that most users signed with the original Parallelwodd software bundle agreement; it stated the company could increase the annual licensing fee without customer notification, SesamWare was once again at the centre of an international lawsuit this time for subverting free market competition 1. Assume Parallelworld was eventually ordered to cease and desist due to intellectual property (IP) infringement. What category of IP has Parallelworld most likely infringed? Explain the actions that caused this infringement. (5 marks) Refer to the textbook for clarification on anyterms - make sure you reference where you received assistance in forming your answers.

Answer 1

EXPLANATION:

If ParaWorld were required to cease and revoke some form of IP rule, industrial property would probably be the IP category. Inventory patents, trademarks, product design and geographical signs are included in the class of product property.The key causes or acts which constitute a infringement is due to gamblers' unethical behavior. The gamers have slowly begun mishandling their character version and actions with the open nature of the game's development. The version of the character is made up of government, politicians and other popular people who finally ended up with an infringement. The consequences of a violation can be serious. ParaWorld may be prevented from further activities indefinitely or temporarily. Administrative penalties may also be levied.