Assignment 9B: Silly Patent 2 [Method and system for increased realism in video games]

U.S. Patent No. 8,529,350, “Method and System for Increased Realism in Video Games” is owned by a patent troll, White Knuckle. The patent itself involves "remotely updating a sports video game based on real-world events—a player injury or a change in a stadium, such as new grass." The patent covers a "computer 'configured' to 'provide a sports video game' with 'parameters' that can be updated over the Internet."

The funny thing is that White Knuckle did not invent computers, sports video games, the Internet, or software that allows updates from a server. However, it claims to have invented a system that involves all of these components. The USPTO gave White Knuckle the patent rights on the grounds that the specific application of these elements on a single idea (updating sports video games using software over the Internet) is enough to grant White Knuckle the rights.

This is clearly abuse of the patent system by trolls. White Knuckle used this patent to sue Electronic Arts among other video game companies on the basis of patent infringement. The troll, much like the one in my other post, received settlement money from more than a few companies because the patent covers all software that allows for system updates over a live server.