Expanding beyond iOS, Android and Mac developers for the first time, BlackBerry based studio Rotten Ogre is the latest outfit to be accused by Lodsys of infringing its in-app purchase patents.
The Canadian indie studio - developer of an app ironically named Horseplay - has received a letter from Lodsys offering a "licensing opportunity".
In short, the developer would be required to pay Lodsys fees for utilising its patents in its titles in order to avoid any legal battle through the courts.
Upping the stakes
Just as was the case with studios working on Apple and Google's platforms, the alleged infringement revolves around the in-app purchase button employed in Rotten Ogre's titles.
It's the same stance Lodsys has employed across the board, with the firm's growing list of patent cases swelling to include major names such as EA, Square Enix and Take Two in recent months.
As was with the case with Apple, however, pressure will now grow on RIM to offer some form of response, especially if further BlackBerry developers end up being drawn into the battle.
Justice for all
Apple has already made moves to defend its indie devs from attacks by Lodsys by demanding involvement in any patent infringement cases.
Having already obtained a patent license from its previous owner, it argues that such licenses should also cover developers operating on its platforms.
Google, meanwhile, has asked the US patent office take a further look into the cases, with a view to invalidating them.
No comment has yet been offered by RIM, though those invested in the BlackBerry ecosystem will be hoping the company moves to defend in developers, if only to prevent other studios from dropping their plans to employ IAPs in their titles for the platform.
[source: Globe and Mail]
News
When Matt was 7 years old he didn't write to Santa like the other little boys and girls. He wrote to Mario. When the rotund plumber replied, Matt's dedication to a life of gaming was established. Like an otaku David Carradine, he wandered the planet until becoming a writer at Pocket Gamer.
Related Articles
Data & Research
Jul 6th, 2020
37% of iPhone owners game daily while 46% of Blackberry owners have no games
News
Sep 28th, 2016
BlackBerry ceases smartphone manufacturing as company reports $372 million net loss
Top Stories
Feature
May 17th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a battle royale to a console classic remake
Feature
May 16th, 2024
Behind the scenes: How adding sandwich offers to an idle merge game boosted three metrics at once
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
Popular Stories
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Feature
May 13th, 2024
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
Feature
May 14th, 2024