https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Oghor&feedformat=atomUltronomicon - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T02:13:05ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.35.7https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Pistol_Shrimp_Games&diff=34648Pistol Shrimp Games2022-10-23T17:22:20Z<p>Oghor: Created page with "'''Pistol Shrimp Games''' is the name of a development studio founded by Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford to develop an official sequel to The Ur-Quan Masters, continuing..."</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Pistol Shrimp Games''' is the name of a development studio founded by [[Paul Reiche III]] and [[Fred Ford]] to develop an official sequel to The Ur-Quan Masters, continuing the story from the original [[Star Control]] and [[Star Control II]] games. <br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [https://pistolshrimpgames.com/ Pistol Shrimp Games official site]<br />
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/uqm2/ Reddit for official Ur-Quan Masters sequel]<br />
* [https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimp Pistol Shrimp Games patreon]<br />
* [http://www.toysforbob.com/ Toys for Bob official site]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Links&diff=34647Links2022-10-23T17:15:26Z<p>Oghor: fixes</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Safe}}<br />
<br />
==Official [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] sites==<br />
===Game information===<br />
*[http://sc2.sourceforge.net/ The Ur-Quan Masters home]<br />
*[https://forum.uqm.stack.nl/ The Ur-Quan Masters forum]<br />
*[https://bugs.uqm.stack.nl/ The Ur-Quan Masters bug database]<br />
*[http://uqm.stack.nl/files/snapshots/ Subversion snapshots of The Ur-Quan Masters] (including Windows binaries)<br />
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/sc2/ The SourceForge project page]<br />
*[http://sc2.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/sc2/trunk/ The subversion web interface to the sources of The Ur-Quan Masters]<br />
*[https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/Main_Page The Ur-Quan Masters wiki – The Ultronomicon]<br />
<br />
===Developer information===<br />
*[http://www.toysforbob.com/ Official page] for [[Toys For Bob]]<br />
*[https://pistolshrimpgames.com/ Official page] for [[Pistol Shrimp Games]]<br />
*[https://www.dogarandkazon.com/ Developer blog] for [[Paul Reiche III]] and [[Fred Ford]]<br />
<br />
==[[Star Control]] original series sites==<br />
===Game information===<br />
*[[Wikipedia:Star Control|Star Control entry at Wikipedia]]<br />
*[http://www.mobygames.com/game_group/sheet/gameGroupId,41/ Star Control series at MobyGames]<br />
*[http://dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Action/Space_Combat/Star_Control_Series/ Star Control series at Open Directory]<br />
<br />
===Community===<br />
*[http://www.star-control.com/ The Pages of Now & Forever] - The center of the Star Control community on the net<br />
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/starcontrol/ Star Control original series Reddit]<br />
*[https://twitter.com/starcontrolfans Star Control original series Twitter]<br />
<br />
====Game Documentation====<br />
*The original [http://www.abandonia.com/files/extras/Star%20Control%202_Manual.zip Star Control 2 manual], from Abandonia<br />
*The original [http://www.abandonia.com/files/extras/Starmap.jpg the Deluxe Star Control 2 starmap], from Abandonia<br />
<br />
====Aids====<br />
*If you've found the [[Portal Spawner]], The [http://bit.ly/IsFMse UQM Least-Fuel Route Finder] helps you calculate whether to use it for a given trip (and, if so, how).<br />
*[http://sa-matra.net/quotes List of Star Control 2 / Ur-Quan Masters dialog].<br />
*[https://deathgenerator.com/#sc2 Star Control 2 / Ur-Quan Masters dialog generator]<br />
<br />
==Fan-made projects ==<br />
Mods, games and aids based on the SC2 universe / code.<br />
<br />
====Modified The Ur-Quan Masters code====<br />
<br />
*[http://eli.cedarswampstudios.org/1.4.1-src.tar.gz Elvish Pillager's Crazy Mod (1.4.1)] &mdash; see [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=3465.0 this thread] and its [[Elvish Pillager's Crazy Mod|Ultronomicon article]]<br />
*[http://eli.cedarswampstudios.org/balance-mod-1.0.2-src.tar.gz Elvish Pillager's Balance Mod for Netplay]<br />
*[http://megamod.serosis.net/ Serosis' UQM MegaMod]<br />
<br />
====Accessibility mods for The Ur-Quan Masters====<br />
*Nic's [http://www.submedia.net/uqm/old/accessibility.zip mining graphics for the color-blind]<br />
*Valaggar's [http://ceruopran.googlepages.com/VLdruuge.zip mint green Druuge projectiles]<br />
<br />
====Translations====<br />
See the [[translations]] page.<br />
<br />
====Alternative content for the Ur-Quan Masters====<br />
See also the [[Star Control Music]] page.<br />
<br />
*Lance_Vader's and Valaggar's Utwig voicepack ([http://www.mediafire.com/?95xig0tx9eb without effects], [http://www.mediafire.com/?aznxsyiz9ic with effects])<br />
*Nic's [http://www.submedia.net/uqm/old/yellow-fried.uqm Yellow Kohr-Ah FRIED] (DOS SC2 original)<br />
*[http://www.submedia.net/uqm/old/mycon-speech.uqm Modified Mycon Dialogue] (Replaces an unimportant piece of Mycon dialogue with the DOS SC2 original dialogue that provides the location of the Mycon homeworld)<br />
*[http://forum.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?topic=4724.0 Missing Mycon dialogue add-on], [[File:Uqm missing-mycon-dialogue.zip]] (Similar to the above except that it adds both missing text and speech for the location of the Mycon homeworld)<br />
<!-- *[http://www.spacesynth.net/precursors/ Precursors home] --><br />
<br />
====Non-computer games====<br />
*[http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=3479.0 Star Control Boardgame]<br />
<br />
===Fan pages===<br />
If you've got a Star Control related web site you want others to know of, place it here!<br />
*[http://starcontroller.com/ Star Controller] &mdash; Star Control blog, frequently updated<br />
<!-- *[http://juicy.net63.net/ *juicy] The Ur-Quan Master fan site --><br />
<br />
===Similar games===<br />
*[http://timewarp.sourceforge.net/ Star Control TimeWarp] - A Super-Melee clone with network play, multiple ships in the arena at once and multiple new ship designs<br />
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/aftermath-wars/ Aftermath Wars] - A Super-Melee clone (in very early development) with stunning graphics<br />
*[http://xenoclone.com/project_xenoversus.html Xeno Versus: Space Melee] - A space combat game inspired by Super-Melee<br />
*[http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=33424&package_id=25799 Star Control Online] - A Super-Melee clone with up to fourteen ships in the arena at once (uses Super-Melee graphics)<br />
<!-- *[http://www.fileplanet.com/dl/dl.asp?/classicgaming/clones/frungy.zip Frungy] - A fan interpretation of the famous [[Zoq-Fot-Pik]] sport [[Frungy]] --><br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Timeline&diff=34533Timeline2021-03-02T23:19:14Z<p>Oghor: </p>
<hr />
<div>{|<br />
|c. 250,000&nbsp;BCE||The [[Precursor]]s travel the galaxy for a few thousand years. In this time, they meet the [[Slylandro]]. They suddenly disappear, leaving behind numerous [[:Category:Precursor Technology|artifacts]]. <br />
|-<br />
|c. 54,000&nbsp;BCE||[[Dugee]], the purity monitor for the [[Mycon]], dies of a "general misfunction". Little is known about the Mycon before that time. (Though the [[Umgah]] later speculate that the Mycon did not evolve naturally, and were [[The Creators|engineered]].) <br />
|-<br />
|c. 27,000&mdash;23,000&nbsp;BCE||The [[Ur-Quan]] overcome their territorial nature and become a spacefaring race. An association of spacefaring races called the [[Sentient Milieu]] discover them and recruit them as a member. The [[Ur-Quan]] travel the galaxy meeting other races, including the [[Slylandro]].<br />
|-<br />
|c. 22,000&nbsp;BCE||The [[Faz]] join the [[Sentient Milieu]].<br />
|-<br />
|c. 20,000&nbsp;BCE||The [[Dnyarri]] discovered by the Ur-Quan. Within a few weeks, the Dnyarri use mind control to enslave and dominate the Sentient Milieu. The [[Taalo]], the [[Yuli]], and the [[Drall]] are destroyed by the enslaved races.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 17,500&nbsp;BCE||The [[Dnyarri]] are overthrown by the Ur-Quan. The [[Path of Now and Forever]] and the [[Eternal Doctrine]] are formulated. The [[Kzer-Za]] enslave the Faz, the [[Kohr-Ah]] annihilate the [[Yuptar]], and the [[Mael-Num]] utter [[the Words]] as they flee their homeworld. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The Ur-Quan experience a schism called the [[Doctrinal Conflict]], which the [[Kzer-Za]] win by using a Precursor battleship called the [[Sa-Matra]]. The two Ur-Quan factions agree to travel the galaxy in different directions, intending to meet on the other side of the galaxy thousands of years in the future. In this time, the Kohr-Ah will annihilate thousands of species, with the Ur-Quan enslaving a comparable number.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 100 CE||The [[Yehat]] are ruled by the [[Veep-Neep]] dynasty, who rule continuously for the next two millenia.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 1100 CE||The [[Yehat]] enter their space age. Their warrior culture leads the more mystical [[Pkunk]] to separate. <br />
|-<br />
|c. 1200 CE||The first [[Mmrnmhrm]] appear near the Virginis constellation, constructed by the [[Mother-Ark]]. They begin colonizing planets and meet the [[Chenjesu]]. <br />
|-<br />
|c. 1700 CE||The [[Spathi]] find their homeworld overrun by "The Evil Ones". Within a hundred years, they advance to their Space Age and flee to their moon.<br />
|-<br />
|1940||Multiple alien species detect radio transmissions from [[Earth]]. The [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]] begin forming plans to attack.<br />
|-<br />
|2015||The [[Human]]s' [[Small War of 2015]].<br />
|-<br />
|2019||Creation of the first [[Androsynth]] on Earth. They are condemned by a cult called Homo Deus, and quickly lose their rights until they are enslaved. <br />
|-<br />
|2025||The confiscation and storage of all weapons of mass destruction by the United Nations in so-called [[Peace Vaults]], resulting in the first year without war on Earth.<br />
|-<br />
|2035||Cataclysm caused by a [[Deep Child]] makes [[Syra]] uninhabitable, forcing [[Syreen]] to flee.<br />
|-<br />
|2075||[[Yehat]] discover and "uplift" the [[Shofixti]], giving them spacefaring technology.<br />
|-<br />
|2085||The [[Clone Revolt]]. The Androsynth secretly discover [[HyperSpace]] technology and flee Earth.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2098||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za arrive in our region of space from the [[Ophiuchi]] constellation.<br />
|-<br />
| ||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[Thraddash]], who are then left to "guard the rear".<br />
|-<br />
|2100s (presumed)||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[Umgah]].<br />
|-<br />
|2111 (presumed)||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[Spathi]].<br />
|-<br />
| ||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[Ilwrath]].<br />
|-<br />
|2112||The [[Chenjesu]] first contact Earth.<br />
|-<br />
|2116||The [[Alliance of Free Stars]] is formed, including the [[Chenjesu]], the [[Mmrnmhrm]], the [[Yehat]], the [[Shofixti]], and the [[Humans]]. One day later, the [[Arilou Lalee'lay]] arrive on Earth's moon and ask to join the Alliance.<br />
|-<br />
| ||Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[Androsynth]].<br />
|-<br />
|2119||[[The Insult]] (most probably; possibly in 2126). The Ur-Quan Kzer-Za subjugate the [[VUX]] soon afterwards.<br />
|-<br />
|Early 2120s (presumed)||The [[Mycon]] voluntarily join the [[Hierarchy]].<br />
|-<br />
| ||The [[Syreen]] enter Alliance space and unofficially join the Alliance.<br />
|-<br />
|c.2124 (presumed)||The [[Ur-Quan Slave War]] begins in earnest as the Hierarchy engages the Alliance at the [[Coreward Front]].<br />
|-<br />
|2134||Discovery of a [[Precursor]] facility on [[Unzervalt]]. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The Ur-Quan Kzer-Za first use the [[Sa-Matra]] in battle, quickly wiping out all Alliance defenses and breaking through the Coreward Front.<br />
|-<br />
| ||Chenjesu and [[Mmrnmhrm]] defeated and [[slave shield|slave-shielded]] on [[Procyon II]].<br />
|-<br />
| ||[[Humans]] defeated and slave-shielded on Earth. Numerous ancient sites are destroyed. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The Arilou see that the Earthlings are safe within the slave shield, and vanish. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The Yehat and the Shofixti fall back to the Gorno system. The Yehat queen surrenders to the Ur-Quan and orders their fleet back to space. The Shofixti sacrifice themselves in a last stand, using a Precursor bomb to trigger a supernova. 30% of the Hierarchy war fleet is destroyed.<br />
|-<br />
| ||Isolated with no allies, the Syreen surrender to the Ur-Quan. The Ur-Quan help them find a new home planet, called [[Gaia]]. <br />
|-<br />
|2135||The war officially ends. <br />
|-<br />
| ||[[The Captain]] is born on Unzervalt. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The VUX force [[Admiral ZEX]] to retire to [[Alpha Cerenkov I]]. <br />
|-<br />
|2137||The Ilwrath patrolling Earth orbit leave. Over the next several years, the Spathi also leave. The last patrol is [[Fwiffo]]. <br />
|-<br />
|2142||Destruction of the [[Gg]] by the [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah]].<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2145||The Androsynth make contact with another dimension.<br />
|-<br />
| ||Destruction of the [[Burvixese]] by the Kohr-Ah.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2146||At age 9, the Captain activates the Precursor facility on Unzervault. It begins building a starship.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2147||The Kohr-Ah encounter the Kzer-Za, and the two factions of Ur-Quan begin their [[Second Doctrinal Conflict]]. All other Ur-Quan activity ends, including battles with other species, and supplies to [[starbase]]s. <br />
|-<br />
| ||The Umgah use a [[HyperWave Broadcaster]] to play practical jokes on the Ilwrath, Spathi, and [[Pkunk]]. The Ilwrath attack the Pkunk.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2150||The Androsynth encounter a massive land war. They are eliminated from known space. The [[Orz]] arrive from another dimension.<br />
|-<br />
|c. 2151||The Utwig break the [[Ultron]].<br />
|-<br />
|2153||An Ur-Quan ship crash lands. The only survivor is a [[Talking Pet]], which is rescued by the [[Arilou]] and given to the [[Umgah]] for medical study.<br />
|-<br />
|2155||Arrival of the [[Precursor]] [[The Flagship|ship]] at Earth; start of [[Star Control II]]'s events.<br />
|-<br />
|2159||Start of the Kohr-Ah [[Death March]], if not delayed or prevented.<br />
|-<br />
|2160||Start of the Kohr-Ah [[Death March]], if delayed but not prevented.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Graphical timeline of the Ur-Quan Conflicts==<br />
The events marked by blue are known to have occurred within a specific year or time frame. Those events marked by red represent the best-guess estimates as to when the actual events occurred.<br />
<br />
<timeline><br />
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22<br />
PlotArea = left:30 right:30 bottom:20 top:20<br />
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal<br />
<br />
Define $left = shift:(-5,-4) anchor:from align:right<br />
Define $center = shift:( 0,-4) anchor:middle align:center<br />
Define $right = shift:( 5,-4) anchor:from align:left<br />
Define $right2 = shift:( 5,0) anchor:from align:left<br />
<br />
Colors =<br />
id:XCT value:brightblue legend:"Events_with_~known_dates"<br />
id:UNK value:red legend:"Events_with_~uncertain_dates"<br />
id:grid1 value:gray(0.7)<br />
id:grid2 value:gray(0.88)<br />
<br />
Period = from:2090 till:2160<br />
ScaleMajor = start:2090 unit:year increment:10 gridcolor:grid1<br />
ScaleMinor = start:2090 unit:year increment:2 gridcolor:grid2<br />
AlignBars = justify<br />
<br />
BarData =<br />
bar:other<br />
bar:melnorme<br />
bar:orz<br />
bar:utwig<br />
bar:pkunk<br />
barset:kohrah<br />
<br />
bar:hierarchy<br />
bar:kzerza<br />
bar:thraddash<br />
barset:umgah<br />
# bar:mycon<br />
bar:ilwrath<br />
barset:spathi<br />
bar:vux<br />
barset:andro<br />
<br />
bar:alliance<br />
bar:chenjesu<br />
bar:mmrnmhrm<br />
bar:arilou<br />
bar:human1<br />
bar:human2<br />
bar:syreen<br />
bar:yehat<br />
barset:shofixti<br />
<br />
PlotData =<br />
fontsize:M<br />
width:23<br />
shift:(0,-4)<br />
<br />
bar:other <br />
from:start till:end text:"Other races" $right color:tan1<br />
bar:hierarchy <br />
from:start till:end text:"Ur-Quan Hierarchy" $right color:drabgreen<br />
fontsize:S<br />
from:2145 till:2160 text:"2nd Doctrinal~Conflict" shift:(0,1) anchor:middle align:center color:brightgreen<br />
bar:alliance <br />
fontsize:M<br />
from:start till:end text:"Alliance of Free Stars" $right color:powderblue<br />
fontsize:S<br />
from:2111 till:2135 color:oceanblue text:"Ur-Quan Slave~War" shift:(-30,2) anchor:middle align:center<br />
from:2155 till:2160 color:oceanblue text:"SCII:UQM" shift:(2,-4) anchor:middle align:center<br />
width:10<br />
fontsize:XS <br />
from:2124 till:2134 color:skyblue text:"Star Control I" shift:( 0,-4) anchor:middle align:center<br />
<br />
# HIERARCHY RACES <br />
bar:kzerza<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2153 text:"Doctrinal Conflict~_skirmish near~_Alpha Pavonis" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2098 text:"Ur-Quan enter region and~_emit hunting cry" $right2<br />
at:2124 text:"First major strike against Alliance" $right<br />
at:2140 text:"Ur-Quan last visit Thraddash" $right<br />
<br />
bar:thraddash<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2098 text:"Ur-Quan enslave the Thraddash" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2143 text:"Reeunk invents afterburners" $right<br />
<br />
barset:andro<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2115 text:"Ur-Quan conquer Androsynth" $right<br />
from:2145 till:2148 color:UNK text:"Androsynth begin IDF research" shift:(35,-4) anchor:from align:left <br />
barset:break<br />
at:2150 text:"Massive groundwar~_on Eta Vulpeculae II" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
barset:spathi<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2111 text:"Ur-Quan subjugate Spathi" $right<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2148 text:"Spathi (except Fwiffo)~_abandon Earthguard" $right2<br />
barset:break <br />
at:2148 text:"Spathi take 'Caster from Umgah" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
barset:break<br />
barset:skip<br />
at:2130 text:"Fwiffo 'enlists'" $right<br />
<br />
bar:ilwrath<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2111 text:"Ur-Quan attacking Ilwrath" $right<br />
at:2147 text:"Ilwrath last hear~_from Dogar and Kazon" $right2<br />
at:2126 text:"Ur-Quan improve~_Ilwrath technology" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2137 text:"Ilwrath abandon~_Earthguard" $right2<br />
<br />
bar:vux<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2119 text:"**" $right<br />
at:2126 text:"Rand insults VUX" $right<br />
<br />
barset:umgah<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2098 text:"Ur-Quan subjugate Umgah" $right <br />
at:2147 text:"Umgah pretend to be~_Dogar and Kazon" $right2<br />
barset:break<br />
at:2147 text:"Jud the Vug prank" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
# bar:mycon<br />
# mark:(line,UNK)<br />
# mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
# OTHER RACES<br />
bar:melnorme<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2125 text:"Melnorme visit the Slylandro" $right<br />
at:2154 text:"Slylandro obtain~_Probe from~_Melnorme" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
bar:utwig<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2152 text:"Ultron broken" $right<br />
at:2105 text:"Druuge sell Ultron to Utwig" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
bar:orz<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2150 text:"Orz appear" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
bar:pkunk<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2147 text:"Pkunk attacked by Ilwrath" $right<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
<br />
barset:kohrah<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2142 text:"Kohr-Ah destroy Gg" $right<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
from:2143 till:2147 color:UNK text:"Kohr-Ah destroy Burvixese" shift:(45,-4) anchor:from align:left<br />
<br />
# ALLIANCE RACES<br />
bar:chenjesu<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
from:2134 till:2135 color:XCT text:"Chenjesu and Mmrnmhrm defeated and enslaved together" shift:(12,-4) anchor:from align:left <br />
at:2098 text:"Chenjesu detect Ur-Quan~_hunting cry" $right2<br />
at:2112 text:"*" $right<br />
at:2115 text:"Chenjesu contact Humans" $right<br />
<br />
bar:mmrnmhrm<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2110 text:"Chenjesu and Mmrnmrhm~_forces first repel Ur-Quan" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2135 text:"Chenjesu and Mmrnmhrm~_begin The Process" $right2<br />
<br />
bar:arilou<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2116 text:"Arilou reveal themselves and join Alliance (August 2)" $right<br />
<br />
bar:human1<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2135 text:"Earth slave-shielded" $right<br />
at:2116 text:"Earth joins the Alliance~_(August 1)" $right2<br />
at:2147 text:"Hayes assigned~_to Earth Starbase" $right2<br />
at:2155 text:"The Flagship~_arrives at Sol" $right2<br />
<br />
bar:human2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2134 text:"Tobermoon crew discovers~_Vela Precursor installation" $right2 <br />
<br />
bar:syreen<br />
width:10<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
at:2135 text:"Syreen defeated and given Gaia" $right<br />
at:2148 text:"Talana assigned to~_Gaia Starbase" $right2<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2120 text:"Syreen join the Alliance" $right <br />
<br />
bar:yehat<br />
width:10<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
at:2135 text:"Yehat become Battle Thralls" fontsize:XS $right<br />
<br />
barset:shofixti<br />
mark:(line,XCT)<br />
mark:(line,UNK)<br />
barset:break<br />
at:2135 text:"Shofixti last stand at Delta Gorno" $right<br />
<br />
<br />
LineData = <br />
layer:front<br />
width:0.1<br />
color:XCT<br />
from:2119 till:2126 atpos:262 #insult ambiguity<br />
from:2112 till:2115 atpos:178 #first contact<br />
<br />
</timeline><br />
<br />
==Notes and references==<br />
*[[Timeline/References]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Historical events| ]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=34531Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2020-12-20T19:57:22Z<p>Oghor: </p>
<hr />
<div>This article describes the litigation that took place between December 8, 2017 and June 7, 2019 between the makers of '''''Star Control: Origins''''' (SC:O) and the makers of '''''Ghosts of the Precursors''''' (GOTP). SC:O was published and developed by Stardock Systems, Inc., who purchased several ''Star Control'' intellectual property assets from Atari at bankruptcy. GOTP was announced by [[Paul Reiche III]] and [[Fred Ford]], the designers of the first two ''Star Control'' games with ''Star Control'' intellectual property of their own. Both parties claimed that the other had violated their intellectual property rights.<br />
This article summarizes the relevant law, events, evidence, and disputes. This includes: <br />
<br />
* Whether Stardock violated copyright by selling the original Star Control games<br />
* Whether Reiche and Ford violated trademark when they announced Ghosts of the Precursors<br />
* Whether Stardock's plans to include older Star Control aliens violated copyright, and whether their trademark applications would have succeeded<br />
* How the licensing agreement might have affected these issues, and whether that agreement was still valid during litigation<br />
* Whether the parties had misled customers about who was involved in the original games or forthcoming games<br />
* What efforts the parties have made to compromise<br />
<BR><br />
<br />
== Copyright ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyrights in Star Control 1, 2, and 3? ===<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|thumb|300px|right|The Star Control title screen, which attributes Copyright to Reiche and Ford.]]<br />
<br />
Reiche and Ford are credited as the copyright holders on the original ''Star Control'' title screen<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/script/images/0/07/StarControl1TitleScreen.png]</sup> and packaging,<sup>[https://gamefaqs.akamaized.net/box/4/4/5/32445_back.jpg]</sup> as well as the sequel's packaging.<sup>[https://draginol.stardock.net/images2015/Star-Control-25th-anniversary---on-the-s_11DA0/image_thumb_3.png]</sup> This is consistent with the ''1988 Agreement with Accolade'', where Reiche and Ford are granted copyright ownership in any games they develop.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 11.1-11.4)</sup> Since the lawsuit, Stardock's CEO has confirmed on forums that Stardock does not claim Copyright in the first two games.<sup>[https://www.reddit.com/r/starcontrol/comments/80jm2w/for_those_interested_paul_and_freds_unedited/duxg4ib/]</sup> (However, Stardock's legal complaint does assert that "Reiche and Ford may not have created any of the artwork, animation or characters incorporated in the games, or otherwise substantially contributed to the authorship of Star Control I and Star Control II".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.27.0.pdf](pgph 57)</sup>)<br />
<br />
''Star Control 3'' belongs to multiple parties, as Accolade developed the game using existing copyrighted content from the first two games. Reiche and Ford agreed to license their intellectual property in Star Control 1 and 2 to Accolade for the development of Star Control 3 (which is documented in an addendum to their original agreement).<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf]</sup> This is noted on the Star Control 3 CD jewel case, stating Accolade as the copyright holder, while using characters under license from Reiche and Ford.<sup>[http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/star-control-3/cover-art/gameCoverId,275077/]</sup> In 1996, Accolade registered the Copyright for Star Control 3 with the United States Copyright Office,<sup>[https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=PA0000799000&Search_Code=REGS&PID=iQB2klgPlkt2Twox3NCgbhk7wPQ&SEQ=20180504223742&CNT=25&HIST=1]</sup> which was eventually purchased by Stardock at Atari's bankruptcy (after Atari had acquired it from Accolade).<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyright in the music of Star Control? ===<br />
<br />
Music is often separate from the game itself. Section 1.5 of Addendum 3 to the 1988 contract includes "music" under the the intellectual property "owned by Reiche."<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf](pgph 1.5)</sup> This suggests that Reiche and Ford might own the music (and not Accolade or any other publisher), but it still leaves an open question about whether the musicians own the music or assigned it to Reiche and Ford at contract. <br />
<br />
When Reiche and Ford made Star Control 2, they held a contest for musicians to have their [[Star Control Music|music in the games]].<sup>[http://skrolli.fi/2014.3.boing.pdf]</sup> One contest winner was [[Riku Nuottajärvi]], who has since released new remixes of that music without objection from any publisher, or from Reiche and Ford.<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/Star_Control_Music]</sup> Riku has since been hired by Stardock as the music lead for ''Star Control: Origins'', and has begun remixing some of the original music for the new game.<sup>[https://www.reddit.com/r/starcontrol/comments/58csqz/star_control_origins_theme_song_download_by_riku/]</sup> <br />
<br />
Neither lawsuit specifically disputes ownership in the music, at present.<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under copyright? ===<br />
<br />
[[File:Image thumb 3.png |thumb|300px|right|A copyright holder can make derivative works based on the original work. This box describes Ford and Reiche as copyright holders in Star Control 2.]]<br />
<br />
Copyright is secured automatically whenever a work (such as computer software, literary work, or other authorship) is created, and does not need to be registered.<sup>[https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/ip-policy/copyright/copyright-basics]</sup><sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html#what_protect]</sup> This gives the copyright holder exclusive rights to the authored work, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or sell that work. <br />
<br />
The copyright holder also controls the right to create derivative works based on the original work.<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf]</sup> For example, a sequel to a game or a movie using characters and other elements from the original would be a derivative work, and needs the permission of the original copyright holder.<sup>[https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-are-derivative-works-under-copyright-law]</sup><sup>[https://copyright.uslegal.com/enumerated-categories-of-copyrightable-works/compilations-collective-and-derivative-works/]</sup> The creator of the derivative work would be limited to copyrights in the new elements only, and their rights would exclude anything copied from the pre-exising work.<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
=== So what caused the copyright dispute? ===<br />
On October 19 2017, Stardock began selling the original copyrighted games through Steam.<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171025035520/http://store.steampowered.com/app/358920/Star_Control_The_UrQuan_Masters/]</sup> Reiche and Ford said they did not authorize this and requested a takedown,<sup>[https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come]</sup> and Stardock responded that Reiche and Ford's request includes "Star Control 3 which they admit they had no involvement".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052950/https://www.starcontrol.com/article/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred]</sup> In fact, Star Control 3 does use copyrighted content from the first two games, and states that they used characters under license from Reiche and Ford.<sup>[http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/star-control-3/cover-art/gameCoverId,275077/]</sup> Star Control 3 is a derivative work based on Star Control 1&2, which Accolade could only create with permission from Reiche and Ford, as seen in the 1995 addendum to their original agreement.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
=== How can Stardock legally sell games copyrighted by someone else? ===<br />
<br />
Stardock claims they purchased a license to sell and distribute the three games (among other legal rights), "that was explicitly transferred to us by Atari who in turn acquired it from Accolade".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180306195904/https://forums.starcontrol.com/486284/stardock-response-to-paul-and-fred-update]</sup> Recall that in 1988, Reiche/Ford had granted Accolade the right to sell their Star Control games.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 2.2-3.1)</sup> Stardock has claimed that they purchased this agreement from Atari at bankruptcy in 2013,<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](pgph 20)</sup> whereas Reiche and Ford claim that this agreement had expired.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 33, 57)</sup><br />
<br />
=== How does a store like Steam handle a Copyright dispute? ===<br />
<br />
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) holds online service providers liable whenever their users violate copyright law.<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf]</sup> As required by the DMCA, services such as Steam and GOG provide a tool to copyright holders to report any infringing content.<sup>[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=837929245]</sup><sup>[https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/213224285-Copyright-Policy]</sup> The DMCA requires service providers to takedown infringing material once they are notified, but also includes safeguards to protect legitimate content from erroneous or fraudulent takedowns.<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
The DMCA creates a framework for how a service provider mediates a copyright dispute:<sup>[http://www.gimmelaw.com/the-digital-millennium-copyright-act-dmca-the-law-and-how-to-use-it]</sup><br />
<br />
* ''A copyright owner submits a notification under penalty of perjury, including a list of specified elements, to the service provider’s designated agent.''<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf] (page 12)</sup><br />
* ''The service provider promptly removes or blocks access to the material identified in the notification.''<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf] (page 12)</sup><br />
* ''The service provider must promptly notify the subscriber that it has removed or disabled access to the material.''<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf] (page 12)</sup><br />
* ''The subscriber serves a counter notification ... including a statement under penalty of perjury that the material was removed or disabled through mistake or misidentification.''<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf] (page 12)</sup><br />
* ''Unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the subscriber, the service provider must put the material back up.''<sup>[https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf] (page 12)</sup><br />
<br />
This process only affects the liability of a service provider like Steam.<sup>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_Copyright_Infringement_Liability_Limitation_Act]</sup> These services are often uncertain about what is or is not infringing, due to information that is only known by the parties,<sup>[https://www.wired.com/2008/10/youtube-to-mcca/]</sup> and it is neither practical nor necessary for them to judge the validity of every notice or counter-notice.<sup>[http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-sprigman-lemley-notice-and-takedown-dmca-20160621-snap-story.html]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Can Copyright protect characters and plot lines? ===<br />
<br />
Characters can be protected by Copyright.<sup>[https://open.mitchellhamline.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://en.wikipedia.org/&httpsredir=1&article=1043&context=cybaris]</sup> According to federal courts:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>''At one end of the spectrum, scenes a faire – the stock scenes and hackneyed character types that "naturally flow from a common theme" – are considered "ideas," and therefore are not copyrightable. But as plots become more intricately detailed and characters become more idiosyncratic, they at some point cross the line into "expression" and are protected by copyright.''<sup>[https://openjurist.org/268/f3d/1257](pgph 35)</sup></blockquote><br />
<br />
Courts have refused to recognize protection for generic "scenes a faire", as you cannot Copyright an idea. Courts have refused to limit use of general ideas like a symbolic struggle between a Russian and an American,<sup>[https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/cases/4668]</sup>, or scenes of slaves being chased through the woods with dogs.<sup>[https://cyber.harvard.edu/people/tfisher/Materials/1978AlexandervHaleyEdited.htm](sec IV)</sup><br />
<br />
Copyright does protect more specific forms of expression, and thus courts have decided cases to protect characters such as E.T.,<sup>[http://www.novalis.org/cases/ET.html](pgph 6-7)</sup>, Spawn,<sup>[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Gaiman_v._McFarlane/Opinion_of_the_Court]</sup> and Rocky (as well as secondary characters including Adrian, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and Paulie).<sup>[https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/cases/4668](section A.2)</sup> Even the Batmobile had distinctive enough characteristics to be protected by Copyright.<sup>[http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2015/09/23/13-55484.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
In the Second Addendum to the 1988 Agreement, Reiche and Ford allowed Accolade to "develop Star Control III using certain characters created by Reiche in Star Control and Star Control II".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf](Recitals)</sup> The Addendum further attributes "all characters" and "other intellectual property rights pertaining to Star Control I and Star Control II in which Reiche has an ownership interest",<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf](pgph 2)</sup> which led Star Control 3 to credit "characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford."<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/File:275077-star-control-3-dos-other.jpg]</sup> A later Addendum also describes "characters" among the "Reiche Intellectual Property".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf](pgph 1.5)</sup><br />
<br />
== Licensing agreement ==<br />
[[File:275077-star-control-3-dos-other.jpg|thumb|300px|right|In 1996, Accolade owned the Trademark in ''Star Control''. They also had Copyright in ''[[Star Control 3]]'', but licensed original characters from [[Paul Reiche III|Reiche]] and [[Fred Ford|Ford]].]]<br />
<br />
=== How does a licensing agreement work? ===<br />
An intellectual property holder can legally transfer any of their rights to a third party. This can be any or all of the copyright holder's rights, including the right to sell and distribute copies of their work, or the right to adapt their work into a new derivative work.<sup>[https://www.bitlaw.com/copyright/license.html]</sup> A licensing agreement is a contract, and the terms of such a contract can be whatever the parties agree is fair.<br />
<br />
=== What is in the 1988 Licensing Agreement? ===<br />
Reiche and Ford gave Accolade the exclusive right to sell copies of Star Control. It also made sure that any sequel (derivative work) made by Reiche & Ford would have copyright owned by them, while a sequel made without Reiche & Ford would have copyright owned by accolade, subject to the original copyright held by Reiche/Ford.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 3.1)</sup> It also granted Accolade the Star Control Trademarks, while ensuring that Reiche & Ford would own any copyright in any games they develop.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 11.3-11.5)</sup> <br />
<br />
A 1995 addendum to the agreement granted the right to Accolade to develop Star Control 3, with intellectual property under license from Reiche and Ford.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf]</sup> (Another addendum for an unfinished Star Control 4 game expired after no game was produced.)<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf]</sup> Accolade effectively purchased from Reiche/Ford the rights to use pieces of the original games in the new sequels, but those parts would still belong to Reiche/Ford, with only the truly new parts of the sequels belonging to Accolade.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Acquisition of licensing agreement ===<br />
Accolade was eventually bought out by Atari (formerly Infogrames), who then took the place of Accolade as the legal license-holder to Reiche/Ford's copyrights.<sup>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari,_SA]</sup><br />
<br />
Atari declared bankruptcy in 2013 and sold its assets to various parties. Stardock purchased all Star Control assets from Atari at bankruptcy,<sup>[http://bankrupt.com/misc/AtariDS.pdf](page 14)</sup> who claims that these assets included the 1988 Licensing Agreement.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/a67e50ba-6740-4dfd-b92a-69b37ee4933f.png]</sup><br />
<br />
=== But is the agreement still valid? ===<br />
<br />
Paragraph 2.1 describes the ''Term'' of the agreement, which would continue "for as long as such Work, Derivative Work, and Derivative Product are generating royalties to the Developer at least of $1000 per annum".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 2.1)</sup> In an email from the early 2000s, Ford claims that Accolade "told<br />
us they are going to default on this payment which means we are back to owning the characters and settings."<sup>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010515133200/http://www.classicgaming.com:80/starcontrol/history/fford4.shtml]</sup> By this time, the games were widely considered Abandonware, including SC1,<sup>[http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/143/Star+Control.html]</sup>, SC2,<sup>[http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/144/Star+Control+II.html]</sup>, and SC3.<sup>[http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/822/Star+Control+3.html]</sup> More recently, Reiche and Ford have claimed that the games stopped being sold in 2000, and they stopped receiving royalties, and thus the license expired at that time.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 37)</sup> <br />
<br />
In a 2011 email thread between Reiche and Atari, both parties agreed that the 1988 License had expired years prior.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=2em8gs6trr6j&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/58770187](apr 25)</sup> In 2015, Stardock had stated "my position is that Stardock doesn't have the legal rights to the original lore either. Or, if we did, we have long since refuted those rights."<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160826230848/http://forums.starcontrol.com:80/471109/page/3]</sup> Years later, conversations between Stardock and Reiche eventually led them to discuss the License Agreement. In October 2017, Stardock asserted to Reiche that the games were on sale at that time, and thus generating royalties at the minimum required by the original license.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/a67e50ba-6740-4dfd-b92a-69b37ee4933f.png]</sup> Reiche responded that Atari had agreed that the license expired during the 2001-2011 period of non-sale, and that it would be impossible for Stardock to regain those rights.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/d0a9f996-e553-48a2-8651-c82b4a8f25b9.png]</sup> <br />
<br />
In addition to the ''Term'' clause, Reiche and Ford have highlighted three other clauses that would have caused the license to expire before Stardock's puchase:<br />
<br />
* Paragraph 12.1 states that the "Agreement may not be assigned by (Accolade) without first obtaining the written consent of (Reiche and Ford)".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 12.1)</sup> Reiche claims he did not give permission for Atari to assign the agreement to Stardock.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 57)</sup> <br />
<br />
* Paragraph 7.1 states that the Agreement terminates upon bankruptcy of the publisher,<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf](pgph 7.1)</sup> which Atari filed for in 2013.<sup>[https://us.v-cdn.net/5019558/uploads/FileUpload/22/b3e05eac2b8e2ac0deeef3c43d3b7a.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
* The 1998 addendum to the 1988 agreement included a three year term, which would have granted Accolade rights to any game they made during this term, but states after three years that the “Reiche Intellectual Property granted hereunder shall revert to Reiche”.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf](pgph 4.1)</sup> This would have expired on April 1, 2001.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><br />
<br />
== Trademarks ==<br />
<br />
[[File:GOTPpost.png|thumb|300px|right|[[Paul Reiche III|Reiche]] and [[Fred Ford|Ford]]'s October announcement about ''Ghosts of the Precursors''. Stardock alleges that this announcement violated their Trademark in "Star Control".]]<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the Trademark in "Star Control"? ===<br />
Stardock purchased the Trademark to Star Control from Atari in their bankruptcy asset sale.<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](exbt A, sch 1)</sup> In a settlement offer, Reiche/Ford have been willing to accept that Stardock is indeed the legal Trademark holder to "Star Control".<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=o7q94urm99wv&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sect IVb)</sup> However, the Reiche/Ford lawsuit alleges that the Trademark may have expired due to years of non-use, during the period where none of the games were for sale in the early 2000s.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 41)</sup><br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under Trademark? ===<br />
<br />
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, "A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services."<sup>[https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics]</sup><br />
<br />
At its most basic level, this would mean that Stardock has the exclusive right to develop and release video games with the words "Star Control" in their title. However, Stardock also argues that their ownership of the Trademark also gives them the right to all unique names that have ever appeared in Star Control games, as well as the right to "determine what is canon in the Star Control universe".<sup>[https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/page/1/#replies]</sup> Reiche and Ford contest this claim, as they had asked Stardock to withdraw their trademark applications for the alien names in their March 22 settlement proposal <sup>[https://dogarandkazon.squarespace.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope]</sup> and dispute the legality of Stardock's trademark applications for the alien names in their Counterclaim.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.50.0.pdf](pgph 119-121)</sup> The same Counterclaim also distinguishes between the STAR CONTROL trademark and the in-universe organization called "Star Control", and argues that Stardock's inclusion of the latter in SC:O violates Reiche and Ford's IP rights.<sup>(pgph 103)</sup><br />
<br />
=== What is the dispute? ===<br />
In October 2017, Reiche and Ford announced they would be creating a sequel to Star Control 2 called "Ghosts of the Precursors".<sup>[https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/11/star-control-ii-devs-finally-making-sequel/]</sup> Initially, Stardock echoed this language with support for their sequel, saying "Paul told me the good news: Activision was going to let him do a true sequel to Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters."<sup>[https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/11/star-control-ii-devs-finally-making-sequel/]</sup> Stardock later filed a lawsuit against Reiche/Ford for Trademark infringement, and has since edited their post to remove the language referring to Ghosts of the Precursors as a "true sequel".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180119054230/https://forums.starcontrol.com/485378/ghosts-of-the-precursors]</sup> Stardock alleges in their lawsuit that Reiche/Ford are infringing the "Star Control" Trademark and misleading consumers by calling Ghosts of the Precursors a sequel to Star Control 2.<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](pgph 41)</sup><br />
<br />
=== What about the Trademark in "The Ur Quan Masters"? ===<br />
Shortly after filing their lawsuit, Stardock also filed an application for a Trademark in "[[The_Ur-Quan_Masters|The Ur Quan Masters]]",<sup>[http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch]</sup> the name of the open source port of Star Control II that uses source code released to the fan community by Reiche and Ford. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) responded by asking Stardock to include evidence that they have been in fact using "The Ur Quan Masters" at commerce.<sup>[https://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn87720654&docId=OOA20180213153335#docIndex=2&page=1]</sup> Shortly thereafter, Reiche and Ford also filed an application for the same Trademark,<sup>[http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch]</sup> with the USPTO responding that their application may be delayed pending the decision on Stardock's application.<sup>[http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn87772787&docId=OOA20180515191624#docIndex=1&page=1]</sup> A successful Trademark application would give someone the exclusive right to use "The Ur Quan Masters" in commerce.<br />
<br />
=== What about Stardock's Trademark applications for certain aliens? ===<br />
A few days after Reiche and Ford filed their counterclaim, Stardock filed applications for several alien names from Star Control I and II, including "Arilou", "Pkunk", "Mycon", and so on.<sup>[[#Federal_Trademark_and_Copyright_Registrations|(below)]]</sup> According to Brad Wardell<sup>[https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/page/26/#3721998]</sup>, the applications were filed in response to Reiche and Ford calling in their Counterclaim for the original Star Control trademark (registration number 2046036) to be canceled<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.17.0.pdf] (pgph 129-130)</sup>. Hypothetically, this could give Stardock the exclusive right to these aliens, if the registration is successful. According to the USPTO Trademark Manual, "marks that merely identify a character in a creative work, whether used in a series or in a single work, are not registrable".<sup>[https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TMEP/Oct2012#/Oct2012/TMEP-1200d1e2735.html]</sup> That being said, courts have found that distinctive characters such as Mickey Mouse have acquired enough a secondary meaning to be protected under Trademark law.<sup>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/746/112/30961/#fn5_ref]</sup><sup>[https://cdn.d23.com/cdn2015/wp-content/uploads/1928/05/1180w-600h_TDID-mickey-mouse-trademark-780x440.jpg]</sup><br />
<br />
== Unfair competition ==<br />
<br />
[[File:Star-Control-Universe-1280x1081.png|thumb|300px|right|Stardock created an image to describe how the games are connected, as reported by Ars Technica in October 2017.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/stardock-ceo-talks-star-control-origins-player-crafting-and-upcoming-beta/].]]</sup><br />
<br />
=== What are the allegations of unfair competition in each lawsuit? ===<br />
<br />
Both sides have alleged that the other party has committed Trademark infringement, which falls under the definition of "unfair competition". More than this, each side has accused the other of "unfair competition" by making statements that might confuse or deceive people that Stardock and Reiche and Ford are somehow affiliated.<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/372165367/Stardock-Systems-Inc-vs-Paul-Reiche-III-and-Robert-Frederick-Ford#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1516586X4cef76a31c4f762d2d248e09832291a5&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate]</sup><sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/372165500/Counter-claim-Paul-Reiche-III-and-Robert-Frederick-Ford-vs-Stardock-Systems-Inc#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1516586Xff843a55ecf80137c46678c935e38668&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter if Reiche and Ford call themselves the "creators of Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
Stardock alleges that Reiche and Ford "advertising themselves as being the creators of the Classic Star Control Games is false and misleading, and has been made in an attempt to dishonestly benefit from the goodwill and reputation associated with the STAR CONTROL Mark".<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/372165367/Stardock-Systems-Inc-vs-Paul-Reiche-III-and-Robert-Frederick-Ford#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1516586X76f07ee77ee4af69275ec7720c43022b&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate](pgph 54)</sup> If Reiche and Ford are not truly the creators of Star Control, then their GOTP announcement would be misleading or false, with legal consequences to follow.<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/372165367/Stardock-Systems-Inc-vs-Paul-Reiche-III-and-Robert-Frederick-Ford#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1516586X76f07ee77ee4af69275ec7720c43022b&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate](pgph 110)</sup><br />
<br />
Stardock's lawsuit further states that "Reiche and Ford may not have created ''any'' of the artwork, animation or characters incorporated in the games, or otherwise substantially contributed to the authorship of Star Control I and Star Control II".<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/372165367/Stardock-Systems-Inc-vs-Paul-Reiche-III-and-Robert-Frederick-Ford#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1516586X76f07ee77ee4af69275ec7720c43022b&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate]</sup> Since Stardock's legal claim appeared, alleged members of the Star Control 2 development team have appeared to credit Reiche and Ford as the driving creative force behind the game.<sup>[https://kotaku.com/1823244996]</sup> This includes Greg Johnson, who has credited Reiche and Ford for "having created the games",<sup>[https://twitter.com/ToejamGreg/status/967526760563621888]</sup> and described Reiche as "the creative genius of this entire Universe".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180518203407/https://forums.stardock.net/485810/page/1/#10]</sup><br />
<br />
Previous publishers have credited Reiche and Ford as the "creators of Star Control" in 1998.<sup>[http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/unholy-war/adblurbs]</sup> Fans have colloquially called them the creators in the 1990s,<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/IRC_chat_Oct_1998_QA_trim]</sup> and 2000s.<sup>[http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20070613-clean]</sup> Journalists have followed suit,<sup>[http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_100.html]</sup>, and continued to call them the creators in recent years.<sup>[https://kotaku.com/5953530/skylanders-giants-the-kotaku-review]</sup><sup>[https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/whats-in-a-name-toys-for-bob/?guccounter=1]</sup> Prior to the lawsuit, Stardock's CEO referred to them as the creators in 2014,<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180518202803/https://forums.stardock.net/447576/page/4/#91]</sup> 2015,<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160826230848/https://forums.starcontrol.com/471109/page/3/#55]</sup> as well as 2017.<sup>[https://www.reddit.com/r/starcontrol/comments/75dmw9/official_sequel_to_urquan_masters_ghosts_of_the/]</sup> Stardock now publicly describes Reiche and Ford as the designers.<sup>[https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/22/17041632/star-control-stardock-brad-wardell-lawsuit]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter how Stardock described their relationship with P&F leading up to SC:O? ===<br />
<br />
Reiche and Ford have alleged that Stardock has made "false or misleading statements concerning Reiche and Ford’s involvement with and connection to Stardock’s goods and services, including, but not limited to, Star Control: Origins, is likely to cause confusion or mistake or deception as to the affiliation, connection, or association of Stardock".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup> There could be legal consequences if Stardock has overstated Reiche and Ford's involvement in ways that have confused fans. Without exact details of their conversations, it is not clear what kind of relationship existed between Stardock and Reiche and Ford, prior to the lawsuit.<br />
<br />
Based on public statements as early as 2013, Stardock's CEO stated that Reiche and Ford were "getting permission to work with us".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180402235157/https://forums.starcontrol.com/447576/new-star-control-alien-wishlist]</sup> In a 2014 interview, he further stated that "we'll be talking to Reiche and Ford as we go forward", and that he "talked to them quite a bit about what level of involvement they would like to have in the new game", but that they needed Accolade's permission to work together.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/stardock-ceo-reveals-details-about-new-star-control-title-in-development/]</sup> Reiche and Ford have categorized this as false or misleading in their counter-claim, stating that they had "declined any involvement because they did not want Stardock or anyone else to further develop their world, and they had always planned to work on it themselves in the future."<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup> In 2016, Stardock's CEO stated that Reiche and Ford had been supportive of Star Control: Origins.<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160826230848/http://forums.starcontrol.com:80/471109/page/3#replies]</sup> After the GOTP announcement, the Stardock CEO initially stated that GOTP "was the result of some years of effort on our part to talk them into doing that".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180403172637/https://steamcommunity.com/app/271260/discussions/1/2381701715712918530/?ctp=2]</sup> and outlined the connection between ''Star Control: Origins'' and a "future Paul | Fred sequel" in an interview.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/stardock-ceo-talks-star-control-origins-player-crafting-and-upcoming-beta/]</sup> The Stardock CEO has stated that they met once at at conference, where "they came to our booth and we were supposed to have dinner but our schedules got tight".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180406194409/http://forum.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?topic=7015.msg77192]</sup><br />
<br />
== Outcomes ==<br />
<br />
=== Who will win in court? ===<br />
<br />
This is a multi-dimensional dispute, and it is unlikely anyone will win on every issue. This article attempts to provide the most accurate information possible, grounded in evidence and law. Readers may speculate. If it goes to court, the decision ultimately belongs to a judge.<br />
<br />
=== Can this be settled out of court? ===<br />
<br />
In theory, yes. In fact, 95% of cases are settled before trial.<sup>[https://thelawdictionary.org/article/what-percentage-of-lawsuits-settle-before-trial-what-are-some-statistics-on-personal-injury-settlements/]</sup> Whether a settlement will actually happen will depend on how strong each party thinks its legal position is, how much they are willing to compromise, and of course the individual personality traits involved.<br />
<br />
Stardock's lawsuit claims Trademark in "Star Control" and other "accolade marks" such as "Ur Quan Masters",<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](pgph 29, 47-48)</sup> whereas their settlement offer further asks Reiche and Ford to refrain from using the mark "Ghosts of the Precursors".<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 1-2)</sup> Stardock's settlement offer asks Reiche and Ford to stop representing themselves as the creators of Star Control.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 1.iii)</sup> Stardock's lawsuit claims a license to characters and plot elements from Reiche and Ford,<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](pgph 20)</sup> whereas their settlement offer asks Reiche and Ford to refrain from using those elements, and to transfer all elements to Stardock.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 3)</sup> Finally, Stardock's settlement offer asks Reiche and Ford to pay $225,000 in damages,<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 7)</sup> and to refrain from making a game in the same genre as Star Control for 5 years.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 5)</sup><br />
<br />
Reiche and Ford claim Copyright in the original games,<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 136b)</sup> but have privately offered to settle with Stardock for the original games to be distributed as open source.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=jl6zvf5smemf&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sec II)</sup> Although their lawsuit claims that the "Star Control" Trademark may have expired,<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 39-41)</sup> they have offered to stop using the Star Control Trademark, as long as Stardock abandons its efforts to Trademark the original characters and aliens.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=jl6zvf5smemf&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sec IV)</sup> Echoing their lawsuit, their settlement offer asks Stardock to discontinue use of fictional elements created by Reiche.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=jl6zvf5smemf&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sec V)</sup><br />
<br />
After those offers were published by Reiche and Ford,<sup>[https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope]</sup> settlement negotiations have been ordered by a magistrate to be kept private.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/36/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup> A settlement conference was held on May 14, 2018<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/35/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup>, but the case was not settled until over a year later, on June 7, 2019.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.135.0.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
=== What is the worst case scenario for Star Control: Origins? ===<br />
<br />
Before Star Control: Origins was released, Reiche and Ford asked for an injunction to stop Stardock from "all use of any creative material from Reiche and Ford’s Star Control Games in Star Control: Origins"<sup>.[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 136a)</sup> This echoes their request in private settlement.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=jl6zvf5smemf&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sec 5)</sup> If an injunction had been issued, it could have caused developmental problems and delays for Origins depending on how deeply the infringing material was embedded in Origins and how much reworking would have been required to remove it.<br />
<br />
In August 2018, Reiche and Ford issued a DMCA takedown notice against the Star Control: Origins Fleet Battles Beta, as well as the "Arilou" and "Chenjesu" DLC packs that were scheduled to be released with the game<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.2.pdf][https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.4.pdf]</sup>. In response, Stardock filed a motion for an injunction against further DMCA notices being served against Origins<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/56/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup>, and Reiche and Ford agreed to refrain from sending any more DMCA notices while the issue was before the judge<sup>[https://dogarandkazon.squarespace.com/blog/2019/1/2/injunction-junction-court-instruction]</sup>. However, when Stardock's motion was denied on December 27, 2018<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.102.0.pdf]</sup>, Reiche and Ford promptly sent new DMCA notices against the game itself, which was released on September 20, 2018<sup>[https://content.screencast.com/users/draginol/folders/Snagit/media/530875f0-933f-4aff-943c-d15035d58a3a/12.31.2018-16.33.png]</sup>. Reiche and Ford's post in their Dogar and Kazon blog cites an example of how the expression of interstellar travel in Origins is (according to Reiche and Ford) "substantially similar and/or derivative" of Star Control II, and claims that there are "many such examples" of copyright infringement in SC:O<sup>[https://dogarandkazon.squarespace.com/blog/2019/1/2/injunction-junction-court-instruction]</sup>. While Stardock has since issued counter-notices to resume the sales of the game, it shows that Reiche and Ford already claim that SC:O infringes on their copyright.<br />
<br />
The lawsuit has alleged that the Star Control trademark may have expired,<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 39-41)</sup> but this would ultimately allow multiple parties to release a Star Control game, or allow Stardock to release their new game under a new name. Even so, Reiche and Ford have offered to stop using the Star Control Trademark in their settlement offer.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=jl6zvf5smemf&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549802](sec IV)</sup><br />
<br />
=== What is the worst case scenario for Ghosts of the Precursors? ===<br />
<br />
Stardock's lawsuit claims ownership of the "Star Control" Trademark, as well as the "Accolade marks" including "Ur Quan Masters".<sup>[https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford](pgph 29, 47-48)</sup> Stardock has further attempted to register numerous Trademarks in names and terms from the original games.[[#Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations|(below)]] Hypothetically, this might prevent Reiche and Ford from making a game unless they change the names of all the aliens.<br />
<br />
Stardock's complaint, starting with its second amended version, also seeks to "invalidate Reiche’s and Ford’s alleged copyrights, including any registrations they have obtained in connection therewith"<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.51.0.pdf] (Prayer for Relief x)</sup>.<br />
<br />
Stardock's settlement offer goes even further, asking Reiche and Ford to assign all intellectual property in Star Control to Stardock,<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 3)</sup> and asking Reiche and Ford to refrain from making a game in the Star Control genre for 5 years.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/1549/iframe-embed.html?identifier=xsqlvhxsujof&hostUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogarandkazon.com%2F&hostReferrer&embedType=script#32834732/59549829](sec 5)</sup><br />
<br />
== The Settlement of Now and Forever ==<br />
<br />
Announced by both Fred and Paul, and Stardock on June 11, 2019, all parties involved had agreed to an amicable settlement.<br />
<br />
* '''Ars Technica:''' [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/06/stardock-and-star-control-creators-settle-lawsuits-with-mead-and-honey/ Stardock and Star Control creators settle lawsuits—with mead and honey]<br />
* '''Dogar and Kazon:''' [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2019/6/11/the-only-way-to-win-is The Only Way to Win is...]<br />
* '''Stardock:''' [https://forums.starcontrol.com/495396/stardock-paul-reiche-to-team-up-on-next-star-control-game-beekeeping Stardock, Paul Reiche to team up on next Star Control game, beekeeping]<br />
<br />
=== Summary of the Settlement ===<br />
<br />
'''As per Ars Technica:'''<br />
* All existing lawsuits between Stardock and Ford & Reiche are dismissed with prejudice.<br />
* All parties are responsible for their own attorney's fees.<br />
* Stardock gets to use the Star Control name for its Star Control Origins game and can develop sequels and DLCs as it likes.<br />
* Ford & Reiche get to continue to develop their own direct Ur-Quan Masters sequel.<br />
* The Star Control Origins universe (now known as "the Star Control franchise") will continue in a disconnected bubble from the Ur-Quan Masters/Ghosts of the Precursors universe.<br />
* Reiche will contribute some writing to the Origins universe, in a volunteer role.<br />
* All of the complicated arguments about who owns which copyrights and trademarks and who they bought them from and when and what's copyrightable and what's not are mooted.<br />
* The original three Star Control games can continue to be sold on other storefronts, including Stardock's, and Stardock will split revenue from those games' sales with Ford & Reiche.<br />
* No licensing money changed hands.<br />
* Brad Wardell of Stardock must furnish Paul Reiche with a specific amount of honey from Wardell's apiary.<br />
* In turn, Paul Reiche must furnish Brad Wardell with a specific amount of mead brewed from Wardell's bees' honey.<br />
<br />
Ultimately the resolution was sparked by a unusual approach and tangential shared interests... Honey and Bees.<br />
<br />
== Timeline of Star Control ==<br />
<br />
=== Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-2000 ===<br />
<br />
* '''1988-10''': Accolade and Reiche/Ford enter into an agreement to develop three games.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''1989''': Reiche and Ford found a game development company called ''[[Toys for Bob]]''<sup>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toys_for_Bob]</sup><br />
* '''1990-07''': ''Star Control'' is released, created by Reiche and Ford.<sup>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438453/]</sup><br />
* '''1992-10''': ''Star Control 2'' is released, and is acclaimed as one of the best games that year.<sup>[http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104]</sup><br />
* '''1996-09''': ''Star Control 3'' is released, based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford.<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/File:275077-star-control-3-dos-other.jpg]</sup><br />
* '''1997''': Compared to the first two games created by Toys for Bob, the third game from Legend Entertainment is not as commercially or critically successful.<sup>[https://www.giantbomb.com/legend-entertainment-company/3010-332/]</sup><br />
* '''1998-09''': Toys for Bob develop new games and franchises, and press and advertisements continue to describe them as "''the creators of Star Control''".<sup>[http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/unholy-war/adblurbs]</sup><br />
* '''1998-10''': Fans push for a sequel made by Toys for Bob. Paul and Fred tell fans that their campaigns will help make that possible, and that they personally own all rights in Star Control, other than the name and material in SC3.<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/IRC_chat_Oct_1998_QA_trim]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Disappearance: 2000-2001 ===<br />
<br />
* '''2000-04''': French game publisher Infogrames buys Accolade.<sup>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infogrames-buys-accolade/1100-2451655/]</sup><br />
* '''2000''': A fourth Star Control game is ultimately scrapped after a few iterations.<sup>[http://www.star-control.com/sc4/]</sup><br />
* '''2000''': Reiche and Ford claim the games were no longer on sale or generating royalties, triggering the end of the 1988 License Agreement.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 37)</sup><br />
* '''2001-04''': Addendum 3 to the original contract expires.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf](sec 4.1)</sup> According to Reiche and Ford, by this date all licenses expire, reverting Trademark to Accolade, and reverting all other rights to them.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 37)</sup><br />
<br />
=== Legacy: 2002-2012 ===<br />
* '''2002-11''': The Ur-Quan Masters open source project is released, with Star Control 2 code donated by Toys for Bob. The game is downloaded 100,000 times within one month, and nearly 2 million times from 2002 to 2018.<sup>[https://sourceforge.net/projects/sc2/files/stats/timeline?dates=2002-08-05+to+2018-04-14]</sup><br />
* '''2003''': Infogrames renames company to Atari, after acquiring Atari.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/01/todays-atari-bankruptcy-latest-in-a-long-history-of-corporate-deaths/]</sup><br />
* '''2003-08''': Reiche and Ford discuss the Ur-Quan Masters project, and voice their support for the fan community who worked on it.<sup>[http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20030822-formatted]</sup><br />
* '''2005-05''': Journalists report that Toys for Bob, "''the brains behind Star Control''", have been fully acquired by Activision.<sup>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-bobs-for-toys/1100-6123494/]</sup><br />
* '''2005-10''': Reiche and Ford tell fans they have deliberately kept their rights to Star Control 1 and 2.<sup>[https://forum.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?topic=2150.msg28301#msg28301]</sup><br />
* '''2005-12''': Star Control 2 is ranked #17 on IGN's top 100 games of all time.<sup>[http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html]</sup><br />
* '''2006-03''': ''Pelit'' reports that that around the year 2000, Toys for Bob turned down an offer to purchase the Star Control Trademark from Accolade for $50,000, prompting them to consider a Star Control sequel under a different name.<sup>[https://www.pelit.fi/artikkelit/star-controlbrkontrollin-aikakirjat/]</sup><br />
* '''2006-04''': Journalists and fans report that Toys for Bob, the creators of Star Control, are organizing an official petition to create a new Star Control, and implies that they have the rights to the franchise.<sup>[https://slashdot.org/story/06/04/16/0445202/hope-for-another-star-control-sequel]</sup> <br />
* '''2006-06''': Toys for Bob website reports that ''"We (I) [written by TFB employee Alex Ness] want us to do a Star Control sequel."''<sup>[http://starcontroller.com/?p=90]</sup><br />
* '''2006-08''': Star Control 1 is noted as a breakthrough game on the Sega Genesis, as "''Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford’s masterpiece''". <sup>[http://www.sega-16.com/2006/08/star-control/]</sup><br />
* '''2007-06''': Toys for Bob website reports ''"we have talked to our parent company Activision about doing a Star Control sequel, quite seriously, and there did honestly seem to be some real live interest on their part."''<sup>[http://starcontroller.com/?p=90]</sup><br />
* '''2007-06''': Paul and Fred discuss the fan petition and their efforts to make another Star Control. ''"You will see an SC3 someday. Paul and I have every intention of continuing our almost 19 year collaboration and we're still excited about SC”''<sup>[http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20070613-clean]</sup><br />
* '''2007-09''' Atari renews the Star Control trademark, which Reiche and Ford later argue as invalid in their counterclaim.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><br />
* '''2007-12''': In IGN's top 100 games list honoring Archon, they note Paul Reiche as half of the partnership that made Star Control.<sup>[http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_100.html]</sup><br />
* '''2008-12''': IGN includes Star Control in a list of 10 games they would most like to see another sequel.<sup>[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected]</sup><br />
* '''2010-08''': In a forum thread about an SC sequel, Fred Ford writes "''I want to mention that I've started doing some unspecified work away from the office after some early and continuing conversations with Paul.''"<sup>[http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4211#p4211]</sup> <BR>&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; He further states ''"It will definitely be in our spare time for a while...this is not a TFB venture. It is a Paul and Fred venture."''<sup>[http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4235#p4235]</sup><br />
* '''2010-08''': An unofficial fan interview quotes Fred Ford as planning a 2D Star Control sequel as personal side-project.<sup>[http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=291]</sup><br />
* '''2011-01''': IDDQD reports that Toys for Bob would like to make a true sequel to Star Control.<sup>[http://iddqd.blog.hu/2011/01/13/heti_retro_star_control_ii?token=a828faf30f42c183b7a52775350f096b]</sup><br />
* '''2011-04''': Star Control 1 and 2 are announced for sale on GOG.<sup>[https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:cwPuGuDOc94J:https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_star_control_1_2+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-b-ab]</sup><br />
* '''2011-04''': Reiche and Ford contact Atari saying Atari's "''rights lapsed many years ago''". Atari responds, "''I had our attorney check this out and you are correct.''" They negotiate a new distribution arrangement.<sup>[https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?identifier=rsnpm8nybvs3&embedType=script#32834732/58770187]</sup><br />
* '''2011-06''': An Engadget profile on Toys for Bob notes Paul Reiche as the co-creator of Star Control.<sup>[https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/whats-in-a-name-toys-for-bob/]</sup><br />
* '''2011-10''': In an interview with CVG, Paul Reiche announces: "''we promise someday, we will make the real sequel''" to Star Control.<sup>[http://starcontroller.com/?p=1928]</sup><br />
* '''2011-11''': A Kotaku profile on Paul Reiche notes him as co-creator of Star Control.<sup>[https://kotaku.com/5857232/the-man-who-wants-to-re-invent-toys-before-video-games-destroy-them]</sup><br />
* '''2012-10''': In the leadup to another Toys for Bob game, Kotaku,<sup>[https://kotaku.com/5953530/skylanders-giants-the-kotaku-review]</sup> Wired,<sup>[https://www.wired.com/2012/10/toys-for-bob-skylanders-giants/]</sup> and Destructoid all describe Toys for Bob as creators of Star Control.<sup>[https://www.destructoid.com/merging-toys-and-videogames-with-skylanders-236668.phtml]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Stardock purchase and development: 2013-2017 ===<br />
<br />
* '''2013-01''': Atari (formerly Infogrames) files for bankruptcy.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/01/todays-atari-bankruptcy-latest-in-a-long-history-of-corporate-deaths/]</sup><br />
* '''2013-07''': Stardock announces that they have acquired Star Control assets from Atari, in bankruptcy sale.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/stardock-acquires-star-control-rights-in-fire-sale-plans-reboot/]</sup><br />
* '''2013-07-24''': Stardock tells fans that Reiche and Ford directly own the copyright in Star Control 1&2, and may be able to work on a new Star Control game.<sup>[http://forum.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?topic=5463.msg71121#msg71121]</sup><br />
* '''2013-09-16''': Stardock CEO asks Reiche and Ford to be involved in new Star Control game. They decline, stating "''Fred and I are just not comfortable handing over our world to be developed by others''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/dd82f909-49ef-4a81-a160-a9664274ff18.png]</sup><br />
* '''2013-09-16''': Stardock responds by offering to sell "''the IP rights we acquired from Atari''", for the price "''at our (Stardock's) cost''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/dd82f909-49ef-4a81-a160-a9664274ff18.png]</sup><br />
* '''2013-10-16''': The parties discuss "''the total Star Control rights and assets you acquired from Atari''" and Stardock's cost in acquiring them.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/4ee3cffd-233f-4901-9e1d-be7757699ef1.png]</sup><br />
* '''2013-10-25''': Stardock again asks Reiche and Ford if they want to purchase these assets. Reiche and Ford decline.<sup>[https://i.imgur.com/6vNjsjw.png]</sup> <br />
* '''2014-01''' Stardock announces development of new Star Control game with independent storyline. Says "''we will be talking to Paul and Fred as we go forward''" and they "''cannot be officially involved at present''".<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/stardock-ceo-reveals-details-about-new-star-control-title-in-development/]</sup><br />
* '''2015-03''': Stardock CEO meets Reiche and Ford at booth at Game Developers Conference.<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180406194409/http://forum.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?topic=7015.msg77192]</sup><br />
* '''2015-09''': Stardock CEO publicly states that Reiche and Ford have been "''very supportive''", and that "''Stardock doesn't have the legal rights to the original (Star Control) lore either. Or, if we did, we have long since refuted those rights.''"<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160826230848/http://forums.starcontrol.com:80/471109/page/3#replies]</sup><br />
* '''2015-10''': Stardock CEO updates Reiche and Ford on development. Reiche and Ford again decline involvement, as they "''want to keep our copywritten material from Star Control exclusive to our own future project''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/ac3f8849-fce0-46d7-8bc4-488a12d2afaa.png]</sup><br />
* '''2015-11''': Stardock CEO publicly states that "''I don't believe anyone but Paul and Fred have the rights to mess with the Ur-Quan lore and aliens''", and that they own "''personal, common-law copyright''".<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180509232432/https://forums.starcontrol.com/471109/page/9/]</sup><br />
* '''2015-12''': Stardock CEO allegedly asks Reiche and Ford to license Star Control characters to Galactic Civilizations III.<sup>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html](pgph 74)</sup><br />
* '''2016-10-12''' Stardock CEO allegedly asks Reiche and Ford "''to release an update to Star Control 1/2 under the existing agreement (50/50) split if we can get your permission''".<sup>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html](pgph 75)</sup><br />
* '''2016-10-18''' Stardock releases teaser for ''Star Control: Origins''.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/10/a-first-look-at-star-control-origins-gameplay-prequel-due-for-release-in-2h17/]</sup><br />
<br />
=== Private dispute and alleged infringement: 2017 ===<br />
<br />
* '''2017-07-28''': Stardock CEO allegedly asks Reiche and Ford to participate in their ''Star Control'' anniversary plans, which they decline on account of their own plans.<sup>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html](pgph 76)<sup><br />
* '''2017-09-15''': Stardock CEO allegedly asks Reiche and Ford to license the ships from Star Control 1 and 2, in exchange for a royalty.<sup>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html]</sup><br />
* '''2017-09-29''': Stardock CEO asks Reiche and Ford to use ships from Star Control 1 and 2, and to participate in Stardock's ''Star Control'' anniversary plans.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/60909f27-648d-4399-b953-05ae4f274de6.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-04''': Reiche tells Stardock that Activision has allowed them to make "''a sequel to Star Control 2''", which they will announce soon. They decline to license any IP.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/a36c96e5-9216-4c21-b39c-ee73fa7fbd39.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-04''': Stardock CEO responds that "''we do have a license to your IP to use per the original agreement''" and offers "''coexistence''" by licensing the ships at the "''already agreed upon royalty''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/03ae818b-816c-4874-8c8b-86629ba9af7d.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-06''': Reiche offers "''our respective rights''" are Stardock owning the Trademark, with Ford/Reiche "''owning all the IP rights to the works we created''". Reiche states that Stardock already acknowledged license had expired.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/ad4dd7d8-a995-42e6-abbd-6078a2757ad5.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-06''': Stardock CEO responds that license is still valid under section 2.2, as "''you are continuing to receive royalties''", and suggest working on a "''mutually beneficial release plan''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/0e996554-8c7d-4b65-a171-46e36a10d1f2.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-06''': Reiche responds that "''section 2.2 lapsed many years ago''", and ask Stardock for their position on IP rights. He further states "''as a courtesy, our anniversary announcement is imminent''".<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/7be88f9c-7d3d-47b5-9030-bc2cbb62a061.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-06''': Stardock CEO responds by referring to section 2.2, and that royalties are still being paid. Suggest coordinated announcements, that Stardock owns Trademark and license to sell original games.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/a67e50ba-6740-4dfd-b92a-69b37ee4933f.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-07''': Reiche responds "''there were many years where we received nothing''" until GOG began selling the games, and that caused section 2.2 to lapse "''decades ago''", with no chance to regain those rights.<sup>[https://cdn.stardock.us/forums/0/0/1/d0a9f996-e553-48a2-8651-c82b4a8f25b9.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-07''': Allegedly, Stardock CEO rejects that the license expired. He allegedly suggests he will use Reiche and Ford's IP under the license, and mentions possibility of litigation.<sup>[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html](pgph 86)</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-09''': Reiche and Ford publicly announce Ghosts of the Precursors as a "''direct sequel to Star Control II -- the Ur Quan Masters''".<sup>[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/File:GOTPpost.png]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-09''': Stardock publicly echoes Reiche/Ford's game announcement as "true sequel to Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters". Media and journalists pick up both announcements.<sup>[https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/11/star-control-ii-devs-finally-making-sequel/]</sup> (Both announcements are later re-edited.)<br />
* '''2017-10-19''': Stardock begins selling Star Control 1, 2, and 3, along with pre-orders for Star Control: Origins, on Steam.<sup>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171025035520/http://store.steampowered.com/app/358920/Star_Control_The_UrQuan_Masters/]</sup><br />
* '''2017-10-19''': Stardock CEO gives an interview describing Star Control multiverse, with mockups and images connecting both games.<sup>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/stardock-ceo-talks-star-control-origins-player-crafting-and-upcoming-beta/]</sup> <br />
* '''2017-11''': Alleged/unknown discussions continue between Stardock and Reiche/Ford.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><br />
* '''2017-11-09''': Stardock makes Star Control anniversary announcement giving credit to the rest of the Star Control II team. Team member Greg Johnson responds with additional credit to Reiche and Ford.<sup>[https://forums.stardock.net/485810/star-control-ii-25th-anniversary---on-the-shoulders-of-giants#replies](Stardock re-edited)</sup><br />
* '''2017-11-16''': Stardock releases Star Control Fleet Battles Beta.<sup>[https://forums.starcontrol.com/485611/star-control-origins-fleet-battles-beta-begins-today]</sup><br />
* '''2017-12-01''' (Estimated): Reiche and Ford issue a DMCA takedown notice to Steam.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 89)</sup><br />
* '''2017-12-04''' (Estimated): Reiche and Ford issue a DMCA takedown notice to GoG.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 89)</sup><br />
* '''2017-12''': Stardock issues a counter-notice to Steam. The games remain for sale.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/](pgph 89)</sup><br />
<br />
=== Legal actions and the release of Star Control: Origins: 2017-2019 ===<br />
* '''2017-12-08''': Stardock files a complaint for trademark infringement against Reiche and Ford. The original complaint only asked for relief for the allegedly misleading use of the Star Control mark by Reiche and Ford, but already claimed that Reiche and Ford were not the creators of Star Control, and asserted that Stardock was the sole owner of the copyright to Star Control 3.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><br />
* '''2017-12-14''': Stardock files application for trademark in "Ur Quan Masters".<sup>[http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch]<br />
* '''2018-01-26''': Reiche and Ford file application for trademark in "Ur Quan Masters".<sup>[http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch]</sup><br />
* '''2018-02-22''': Reiche and Ford file defense and counterclaim against Stardock, where they, among other things, accuse Stardock of copyright infringement and ask for the cancellation of the Star Control trademark registration, a declaratory judgment that Reiche and Ford are the owners of the Star Control I and II copyrights, and an injunction against the distribution of the classic Star Control games by Stardock. Reiche and Ford also claim ownership of The Ur-Quan Masters trademark.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/]</sup><br />
* '''2018-02-26''': Stardock begins registering trademarks for the names of several Star Control alien races.<sup>[[#Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations|(below)]]</sup><br />
* '''2018-03-12''': Stardock sends Reiche and Ford a settlement offer that would require them to surrender their SC1 and SC2 copyrights to Stardock, stop challenging Stardock's claims to any Star Control trademarks, and refrain from working on a game in the same genre for five years. The offer is rejected.<sup>[https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r]</sup><br />
* '''2018-03-15''': Stardock files its first amended complaint against Reiche and Ford, where, in addition to its previous claims, it also claims ownership of "The Ur-Quan Masters" trademark and other "Accolade marks".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.27.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-03-22''': Reiche and Ford send Stardock a settlement offer that would require both sides to refrain from infringing on each other's trademarks and copyrights, and Stardock to abandon its applications for The Ur-Quan Masters, Super-Melee, and Star Control II alien name trademarks, as well as release the source code for Star Control I and III to the public. The offer is rejected.<sup>[https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer]</sup><br />
* '''2018-07-16''': Reiche and Ford file an amended counterclaim against Stardock, where, in addition to their previous claims, they claim that Stardock's applications for The Ur-Quan Masters, Super-Melee, and alien name trademarks are fraudulent.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.50.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-07-16''': Stardock files its second amended complaint against Reiche and Ford, where, in addition to its previous claims, it asks to invalidate any Star Control copyrights claimed by Reiche and Ford.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.51.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-08-17''': Reiche and Ford send a DMCA takedown notice to Valve against Star Control: Origins Fleet Battles Beta and the Arilou and Chenjesu content packs.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.2.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-08-21''': Reiche and Ford send a DMCA takedown notice to GOG against Star Control: Origins Fleet Battles Beta and the Arilou and Chenjesu content packs.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.4.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-09-07''': Stardock files a motion for a restraining order against Reiche and Ford to stop them from sending any more DMCA notices against Star Control: Origins.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-09-20''': Stardock releases Star Control: Origins.<br />
* '''2018-10-15''': Reiche and Ford file a second amended counterclaim against Stardock, where, in addition to their previous claims, they sue GOG and Valve for contributory and vicarious copyright infringement, and GOG for fraud and breach of contract.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-10-15''': Stardock files a third amended complaint against Reiche and Ford, where, in addition to its previous claims, it asks for a declaratory judgment that Reiche and Ford have never owned any Star Control copyrights or trademarks, and claims ownership of all Star Control II alien names.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.72.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-12-27''': Stardock's motion for a restraining order against Reiche and Ford's DMCA notices is denied.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.102.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2018-12-28''': Reiche and Ford send a DMCA notice to GOG against Star Control: Origins. A similar notice is sent to Valve, and the game is briefly taken down.<sup>[https://content.screencast.com/users/draginol/folders/Snagit/media/530875f0-933f-4aff-943c-d15035d58a3a/12.31.2018-16.33.png]</sup><br />
* '''2019-05-24''': All parties file a stipulation where they first mention that the parties have been engaging in settlement talks for the past two weeks, and are "close to reaching agreement to settle this matter in its<br />
entirety".<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.129.0.pdf]</sup><br />
* '''2019-06-07''': Settlement is reached by all parties. All complaints and counterclaims are dismissed with prejudice in their entirety. Stardock abandons its applications for The Ur-Quan Masters, Super-Melee, and alien name trademarks.<sup>[https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.136.0_1.pdf]</sup><br />
<br />
== List of References ==<br />
=== Court Received===<br />
* [https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/23260369/Stardock_Systems,_Inc_v_PAUL_REICHE_III,_et_al PacerMonitor]<br />
* [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ CourtListener]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.1.0.pdf (1) - December 8, 2017 - COMPLAINT against Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.16.0.pdf (16) - February 22, 2018 - ANSWER to Complaint with JURY DEMAND by Robert Frederick Ford, Paul Reiche III.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.17.0.pdf (17) - February 22, 2018 - COUNTERCLAIM against Stardock Systems, Inc.. Filed by Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.27.0.pdf (27) - March 15, 2018 - AMENDED COMPLAINT]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.34.0.pdf (34) - March 28, 2018 - Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.35.0.pdf (35) - March 28, 2018 - Notice of Settlement Conference and Ordering Setting Settlement Conference before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.36.0.pdf (36) - March 28, 2018 - ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.0.pdf (37) - March 29, 2018 - Answer to Amended Complaint 27 by Robert Frederick Ford and Paul Reiche III]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.1.pdf Exhibit 1 - The 1988 Agreement between Reiche and Accolade]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.2.pdf Exhibit 2 - Addendum 1, covering the 3DO port]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.3.pdf Exhibit 3 - Addendum 2, covering Star Control 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.4.pdf Exhibit 4 - Addendum 3, covering additional games for three years]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.37.5.pdf Exhibit 5 - Atari bankruptcy sale order and purchase agreement]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.38.0.pdf (38) - April 16, 2018 - ANSWER TO COUNTERCLAIM 17 Counterclaim, by Stardock Systems, Inc.]<br />
** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/o2re6uq9pbyl5p1/%2346%20-%20Letter%2021%20June%202018.pdf?dl=1 (46) - June 21, 2018 - Letter from All Parties re Compliance with Discovery Meet and Confer per Section 9 of ND's Guidelines for Professional Conduct.]<br />
*** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/fsntm9m7i39av1b/%2346%20-%20Exhibit%20A.pdf?dl=1 Attachment 1 - Exhibit A]<br />
*** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gautrda7j9us1i/%2346%20-%20Exhibit%20B.pdf?dl=1 Attachment 2 - Exhibit B]<br />
*** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/ho00cwjsqxy0n4f/%2346%20-%20Affidavit%20Attestation.pdf?dl=1 Attachment 3 - Affidavit Attestation]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.49.0.pdf (49) - Stipulation for Filing of Second Amended Complaint and Amended Counterclaim]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.50.0.pdf (50) - Claim, aka Amended Counterclaim filed by Reiche & Ford]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.50.1.pdf Attachment 1 - Exhibits 1-8]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.51.0.pdf (51) - Amended complaint, aka Second Amended Complaint Filed by Stardock]<br />
*** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/nizgxnummmq7h26/%2351%20-%20Exhibits%20A-Y.pdf?dl=1 Attachment 1 - Exhibits A-Y]<br />
** [[media:Gov.uscourts.cand.320268.53.0.pdf|(53) - Answer to Amended Complaint by Reiche & Ford]]<br />
** [[media:Gov.uscourts.cand.320268.54.0.pdf|(54) - Answer to Amended Counterclaim by Stardock Systems, Inc.]]<br />
** [[media:Gov.uscourts.cand.320268.55.0.pdf|(55) - ERRATA to Answer to Amended Counterclaim by Stardock Systems, Inc.]]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.0.pdf (56) - MOTION by Stardock Systems, Inc. for Temporary Restraining Order against DMCA.]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.1.pdf Attachment 1 - Wardell Declaration]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.2.pdf Attachment 2 - Valve DMCA 2018/08/17]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.3.pdf Attachment 3 - Valve Counter-notice (undated)]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.4.pdf Attachment 4 - GoG DMCA 2018/08/21]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.5.pdf Attachment 5 - GoG Counter-notice (undated)]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.6.pdf Attachment 6 - Web page screenshots]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.7.pdf Attachment 7 - Weikert Declaration]<br />
*** [[media:Gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.8.pdf| Attachment 8 - Stardock Second Amended Complaint Copy]]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.9.pdf Attachment 9 - Reiche & Ford First Amended Counter-Complaint Copy]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.10.pdf Attachment 10 - Weikert to Steinberg email 2018/08/22]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.11.pdf Attachment 11 - Steinberg to Weikert email 2018/08/23]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.12.pdf Attachment 12 - Weikert to Steinberg email 2018/08/24]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.13.pdf Attachment 13 - Weikert to Steinberg email 2018/09/06]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.14.pdf Attachment 14 - Weikert - Steinberg emails 2018/09/06]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.56.15.pdf Attachment 15 - Proposed Order]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.58.0.pdf (58) - ORDER to Meet and Confer regarding Preliminary Injunction]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.59.0.pdf (59) - Stipulation with Proposed Order by Reiche and Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.60.0.pdf (60) - ORDER as stipulated]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.0.pdf (64) - Reiche & Ford Reply to Request for Preliminary Injunction]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.1.pdf Attachment 1 - Reiche Declaration]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.2.pdf Attachment 2 - 1988 Agreement]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.3.pdf Attachment 3 - 1988 Agreement Addendum 1]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.4.pdf Attachment 4 - Star Control II Computer Code Copyright]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.5.pdf Attachment 5 - Star Control II Audiovisual Copyright]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.6.pdf Attachment 6 - 1988 Agreement Addendum 2]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.7.pdf Attachment 7 - Reiche - Accolade emails]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.8.pdf Attachment 8 - 1988 Agreement Addendum 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.9.pdf Attachment 9 - 2011 Atari/GoG emails]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.10.pdf Attachment 10 - Reiche - Wardell emails]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.11.pdf Attachment 11 - Wardell ArsTechnica interview]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.12.pdf Attachment 12 - UQM Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.13.pdf Attachment 13 - UQM Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.14.pdf Attachment 14 - Stardock Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.15.pdf Attachment 15 - UQM Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.16.pdf Attachment 16 - UQM Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.17.pdf Attachment 17 - Stardock Forum posts]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.18.pdf Attachment 18 - Steinberg Declaration]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.19.pdf Attachment 19 - Atari Bankruptcy Auction Documents]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.20.pdf Attachment 20 - Atari Star Control Bankruptcy Sale Documents]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.21.pdf Attachment 21 - Stardock Discovery objection]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.22.pdf Attachment 22 - Weikert - Steinberg emails]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.23.pdf Attachment 23 - Request for notice of Atari bankruptcy]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.24.pdf Attachment 24 - Atari Star Control Bankruptcy Sale Documents]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.24.pdf Attachment 25 - Proposed order denying TRO/PI]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.26.pdf Attachment 26 - Objections to Wardell declaration]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.64.27.pdf Attachment 27 - Proposed order regarding Wardell declaration]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.0.pdf (71) - Second Amended Counterclaim against Stardock, GOG, and Valve]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.1.pdf Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.2.pdf Attachment 2 - Exhibit 2 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.3.pdf Attachment 3 - Exhibit 3 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.4.pdf Attachment 4 - Exhibit 4 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.5.pdf Attachment 5 - Exhibit 5 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.6.pdf Attachment 6 - Exhibit 6 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.7.pdf Attachment 7 - Exhibit 7 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.71.8.pdf Attachment 8 - Exhibit 8 to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.72.0.pdf Third Amended Complaint by Stardock]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.75.0.pdf Answer to Second Amended Counterclaim]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.101.0.pdf (101) - Answer to Counterclaim by Valve Corporation]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.320268/gov.uscourts.cand.320268.102.0.pdf (102) - Order by Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong denying 56 Motion for Preliminary Injection]<br />
* [https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/judge-calendars Judges' Calendars]<br />
====Mirrors====<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385277-Stardock-Legal-Complaint-2635-000-P-2017-12-08-1.html (1) - Stardock Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html (17) - Fred and Paul Counter-Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford (27) - Stardock Amended Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.dropbox.com/s/s6m4n7uhnps44dc/%2350%20-%20Claim%20aka%20Amended%20Counterclaim%20by%20P%26F.pdf?dl=1 (50) - Claim, aka Amended Counterclaim filed by Paul & Fred]<br />
** [https://www.dropbox.com/s/cz9vjzds3uqvpmt/%2350%20-%20Exhibits%201-8.pdf?dl=1 Attachment 1 - Exhibits 1-8]<br />
* [https://www.dropbox.com/s/uksp4k7wrq43y21/%2351%20-%20Amended%20complaint%2C%20aka%20Second%20Amended%20Complaint%20Filed%20by%20Stardock.pdf?dl=1 (51) - Amended complaint, aka Second Amended Complaint]<br />
* [[Media:gov.uscourts.cand.320268.104.0.pdf|(104) MOTION to Dismiss Count Nine of Second Amended Counterclaim filed by GOG LIMITED, GOG POLAND SP. Z.O.O.]]<br />
** [[Media:gov.uscourts.cand.320268.104.1.pdf|(104.1) Proposed Order Granting Motion to Dismiss Fraud Claim]]<br />
** [[Media:gov.uscourts.cand.320268.119.0.pdf|(119) GOG Reply in favor of dismissal of counterclaim #9]]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/398564711/Letters-from-Stardock-to-Valve-and-GOG-regarding-DMCA-claims-of-Ford-and-Reiche 2019-01 DMCA Counternotice & Indemnification for Star Control: Origins]<br />
<br />
=== Fred and Paul Provided ===<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/1/there-were-many-great-battles-and-some-of-them-involved-lawyers Dogar and Kazon - “THERE WERE MANY GREAT BATTLES... AND SOME OF THEM INVOLVED LAWYERS.”]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come Dogar and Kazon - Star Control® I, II and III aren't for sale on GOG.com anymore -- How come?]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/22/stardock-claims-we-are-not-the-creators-of-star-control-sues-us-wtf Dogar and Kazon - Stardock Claims We Are Not the Creators of Star Control. Sues Us. WTF?!]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/27/report-from-planet-surface Dogar and Kazon - .... Report From Surface ....]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/gog_email_chain_-_no_email_addresse GOG/Atari E-mail Conversation]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/18/strange-settlement-on-an-alien-planet Dogar and Kazon - Strange Settlement on an Alien Planet]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer Fred and Paul's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 22, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/images/8/89/StardockSettlementSchedD.png Stardock's Proposed Schedule D] ([https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Original])<br />
** [https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/images/e/e2/Stardock_Proposed_Settlement.pdf Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018] (Mirror)<br />
<br />
=== Stardock Provided ===<br />
* [https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred Stardock Star Control Forums - Q+A regarding Star Control and Paul and Fred]<br />
<br />
=== Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations ===<br />
* [http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?qt=adv&procstatus=All&pn=Stardock&cn=Palmer List of Trademark Opposition Proceedings]<br />
<br />
==== Copyrights ====<br />
* [https://www.copyright.gov/ United States Copyright Office] - [http://cocatalog.loc.gov United States Copyright Public Catalog]<br />
** Star Control II (program code) - [https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=PA0002071496&Search_Code=REGS&CNT=25 PA0002071496] - Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III<br />
** Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters (script and audiovisual material) - [https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=PA0002107340&Search_Code=REGS&CNT=25 PA0002107340] - Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford (Re-registration with assignment)<br />
** Star Control III - [https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=PA0000799000&Search_Code=REGS&CNT=25 PA0000799000] - Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
==== Registered Trademarks ====<br />
* 2024-07-16: "Star Control" (Service Mark use by Stardock Systems Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87697919&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Registered]) ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91243698 Opposition Withdrawn])<br />
* 2024-07-30: "Star Control" (Trademark use by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87807839&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Registered]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87807839 Opposition Terminated])<br />
* 2026-03-18: "Star Control" (Use by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75095591&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Registered]) - Originally by Accolade, Inc.<br />
* 2024-11-12: "The Ur-Quan Masters" (Use by Paul Reiche III): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Registered])<br />
<br />
==== Abandoned Trademarks ====<br />
* (Abandoned): "Fwiffo" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88016354&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91247095 Opposition Sustained])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Druuge" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88033544&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91247098 Opposition Sustained])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Chmmr" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88033532&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91247097 Opposition Sustained])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Ghosts of the Precursors" (Intent by Paul Reiche III ): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87633531&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]) ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91242194 Opposition Sustained]) (Was blocking [https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87655620&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch "Remnants of the Precursors"])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Precursors" (Intent by Paul Reiche III): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87879067&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned])<br />
* (Abandoned): "The Ur-Quan Masters" (Use by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned])<br />
* (Abandoned): "SUPER-MELEE" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87662697&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]) ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91244069 Opposition Sustained])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Orz" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810480&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810480 Opposition Pending])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Melnorme" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810528&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810528 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "VUX" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810526&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810526 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Yehat" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87825741&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87825741 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Taalo" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87877907&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87877907 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Dnyarri" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87877969&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87877969 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Pkunk" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810516&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810516 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Chenjesu" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810499&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810499 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Spathi" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810492&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810492 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Ur-Quan" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810484&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810484 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Arilou" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810518&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810518 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Ilwrath" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810502&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810502 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Syreen" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810486&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810486 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Androsynth" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810495&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=87810495 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Crimson Corporation" (Intent by Stardock Systems, Inc.): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88016293&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]), ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=88016293 Opposition Extension])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Frungy" (Use by Paul Reiche III): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87878067&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]) ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91246027 Opposition Withdrawn])<br />
* (Abandoned): "Frungy Games" (Use by Paul Reiche III): ([https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87878093&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Abandoned]) ([http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91246028 Opposition Withdrawn])<br />
<br />
=== Game Related Materials ===<br />
==== Screenshots ====<br />
<gallery><br />
File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
=== Law Related Materials ===<br />
<br />
==== Commentary from Lawyers ====<br />
* "Lawful Masses", by Leonard French: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it50gS5yYB4 Part 1] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yochP8F69LY part 2] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieb1ajwwUFo part 3]<br />
* "YouTuber Law", by Lior Leser: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Syz3hMTHCA Part 1] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg1kUnU5344 part 2] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RuLAtF9f6E part 3] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT9ZgPnUuiI part 4] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E95izB4i0G4 part 5]<br />
* "Virtual Legality", by Richard Hoeg: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVJIgLnDbcQ Part 1] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgmX2GHF88o part 2] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqrbtBJR2oQ part 3]<br />
<br />
==== United States Copyright Office ====<br />
'''Web Link:''' https://www.copyright.gov/<br />
<br />
'''FAQ:''' https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html<br />
<br />
'''Public Catalog:''' http://cocatalog.loc.gov/<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Law Listing:''' https://www.copyright.gov/title17/<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Significant Copyright Court Cases ====<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Supreme_Court_copyright_case_law List of United States Supreme Court copyright case law]<br />
<br />
===== Anderson v. Stallone =====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson_v._Stallone<br />
<br />
'''Harvard Law Case Ruling:''' https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/cases/4668<br />
<br />
===== Spry Fox, LLC v. LOLApps, Inc =====<br />
'''Court Listener Link:''' https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4411020/spry-fox-llc-v-lolapps-inc/<br />
<br />
'''Docket 24''': https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wawd.181650.24.0.pdf<br />
<br />
'''Forbes Write Up of Case''': https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2012/09/27/recent-ruling-in-triple-townyeti-town-game-app-dispute-provides-cautionary-lessons-for-both-ea-and-zynga/#552f1cd8f922<br />
<br />
==== United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ====<br />
'''Web Link:''' https://www.uspto.gov/<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Basics Page:''' https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Process:''' https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-process<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Database Search:''' https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Trademark Federal Statutes and Rules (TFSR) ====<br />
'''Web Link:''' https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TFSR/current<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' Current practices and laws regarding of United States Federal Trademarks.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP) ====<br />
'''Web Link:''' https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TMEP/current<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' Current United States Federal Trademark guide to determine how to appropriate examine a trademark for validity.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co. ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellogg_Co._v._National_Biscuit_Co.<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' "Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. 111 (1938), is a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that the Kellogg Company was not violating any trademark or unfair competition laws when it manufactured its own Shredded Wheat breakfast cereal, which had originally been invented by the National Biscuit Company (later called Nabisco). Kellogg's version of the product was of an essentially identical shape, and was also marketed as "Shredded Wheat"; but Nabisco's patents had expired, and its trademark application for the term "Shredded Wheat" had been turned down as a descriptive, non-trademarkable term.<br />
<br />
The Court therefore "forcefully applied the principle that once a patent has expired, its benefits are to be freely enjoyed by the public." Kellogg has been called possibly "the Supreme Court's most versatile and influential trademark decision". It had a direct impact on the structure of the Lanham Act and is a "routine starting point for analysis in trademark opinions in lower courts.""<br />
<br />
'''Supreme Court Decision:''' https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/305/111.html<br />
<br />
'''Significance:''' Foundational court case that helped write the Lanham Act and established the Functionality Doctrine.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Lanham Act ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanham_Act<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' "The Lanham (Trademark) Act (Pub.L. 79–489, 60 Stat. 427, enacted July 5, 1946, codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. (15 U.S.C. ch. 22)) is the primary federal trademark statute of law in the United States. The Act prohibits a number of activities, including trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and false advertising."<br />
<br />
'''Significance:''' These are the laws that serve as the basis of the counts by Stardock's claim.<br />
<br />
'''Court Cases related to the Lanham Act:''' These are court cases that showcase the use of the Lanham.<br />
* "Raunchy film can use ‘No Sesame. All Street’ in trailers, judge rules" - https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/sesame-street-puppet-film-happytime-murders-1.18859367<br />
* "Ten Famous Intellectual Property Disputes" - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ten-famous-intellectual-property-disputes-18521880/<br />
* "Trademark Bully Thwarted: Spots the Space Marine Back Online" - https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/02/trademark-bully-thwarted-spots-space-marine-back-online<br />
* "A Cocky Lawyer Reviews #cockygate" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOTlj4MARbo&t=0s<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Functionality Doctrine ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functionality_doctrine<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' "In United States trademark law, the functionality doctrine prevents manufacturers from protecting specific features of a product by means of trademark law. There are two branches of the functionality doctrine: utilitarian functionality and aesthetic functionality. The rationale behind functionality doctrine is that product markets would not be truly competitive if newcomers could not make a product with a feature that consumers demand. Utilitarian functionality provides grounds to deny federal trademark protection to product features which do something useful. Patent law, not trademark, protects useful processes, machines, and material inventions. Patented designs are presumed to be functional until proven otherwise. Aesthetic functionality provides grounds to deny trademark protection to design features which are included to make the product more aesthetically appealing and commercially desirable. Aesthetic features are within the purview of copyright law, which provides protection to creative and original works of authorship."<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Manual of Examination Procedure 1202.02(a)(ii):''' "Purpose of Functionality Doctrine" - https://www.bitlaw.com/source/tmep/1202_02_a_ii.html<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Manual of Examination Procedure 1202.02(a)(iii)(A)''': "Functionality" - https://www.bitlaw.com/source/tmep/1202_02_a_iii_A.html<br />
<br />
'''Internation Trademark Association - INTABulletin - Aesthetic Functionality AFter Louboutin:''' http://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/AestheticFunctionalityAfterLouboutin.aspx<br />
<br />
'''Legal Information Institute:''' https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/functionality_doctrine_%28trademark%29<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==== "Use in Commerce" ====<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' In law, use in commerce is a very broad and vague definition. "Commerce" does not imply "Commercial" as the two often have different definitions within certain contexts of law. "Use in commerce" definition can vary based on the context, but trademark specific examples are given.<br />
<br />
'''Definitions:''' As per Trademark Federal Statutes and Rules §45 (15 U.S.C. §1127): https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TFSR/current#/current/sec-0bf15ce9-7f42-4d7b-9224-c09f64b8c9bc.html<br />
<br />
''Commerce.'' The word "commerce" means all commerce which may lawfully be regulated by Congress.<br />
<br />
''Use in commerce.'' The term "use in commerce" means the bona fide use of a mark in the ordinary course of trade, and not made merely to reserve a right in a mark. For purposes of this chapter, a mark shall be deemed to be in use in commerce—<br />
<br />
# on goods when—<br />
#* (A) it is placed in any manner on the goods or their containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto, or if the nature of the goods makes such placement impracticable, then on documents associated with the goods or their sale, and<br />
#* (B) the goods are sold or transported in commerce, and<br />
# on services when it is used or displayed in the sale or advertising of services and the services are rendered in commerce, or the services are rendered in more than one State or in the United States and a foreign country and the person rendering the services is engaged in commerce in connection with the services. <br />
<br />
'''Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure: 0900 - Use in Commerce:''' https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TMEP/current#/current/TMEP-900d1e7.html<br />
<br />
An important note from this section of the TMEP is 901.03: "Offering services via the Internet has been held to constitute use in commerce, since the services are available to a national and international audience who must use interstate telephone lines to access a website. See Planned Parenthood Fed'n of Am., Inc. v. Bucci, 42 USPQ2d 1430 (S.D.N.Y. 1997) , aff'd, 152 F.3d 920 (2d Cir. 1998) (Table)."<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Trademark Strengths ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_distinctiveness<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' There are five levels of trademark strengths, each with different requirements that need to be met in order to receive Federal Trademark Protection.<br />
* Fanciful or Coined Marks (Strongest, easiest to gain protection for.)<br />
* Arbitrary Marks<br />
* Suggestive Marks<br />
* Descriptive Marks (Minimum level required for any protection.)<br />
* Generic Words (Weakest, no protection offered.)<br />
<br />
'''Internation Trademark Association - Fact Sheets - Trademark Strength:''' http://www.inta.org/TrademarkBasics/FactSheets/Pages/TrademarkStrengthFactSheet.aspx<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Trademark Fair Use ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use_(U.S._trademark_law)<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' "In the United States, trademark law includes a fair use defense, sometimes called "trademark fair use" to distinguish it from the better-known fair use doctrine in copyright. Fair use of trademarks is more limited than that which exists in the context of copyright."<br />
<br />
'''Types of Trademark Fair Use:''' There are two main types of fair use in United States Trademark Law<br />
* Nominative Fair Use: "referencing a mark to identify the actual goods and services that the trademark holder identifies with the mark. For example, it is not a trademark violation to refer a printer produced by Casio as a "Casio printer"."<br />
* Descriptive Fair Use: "Using the mark in an ordinary, descriptive manner to describe a product or service. For example, the Paul Simon song, Kodachrome, uses a trademark for a film brand, but within the context of describing film and photographs."<br />
<br />
'''(15 U.S.C. §1115) Registration as evidence of right to exclusive use; defenses:''' https://tmep.uspto.gov/RDMS/TFSR/current#/current/sec-7cea1de2-b80b-4aab-8760-9a7c325b1ff5.html<br />
<br />
"(4) That the use of the name, term, or device charged to be an infringement is a use, otherwise than as a mark, of the party’s individual name in his own business, or of the individual name of anyone in privity with such party, or of a term or device which is descriptive of and used fairly and in good faith only to describe the goods or services of such party, or their geographic origin;"<br />
<br />
"(8) That the mark is functional"<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Rogers Test ====<br />
'''Wikipedia Link:''' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_v._Grimaldi<br />
<br />
'''Court Listener Link:''' https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/524053/ginger-rogers-v-alberto-grimaldi-mgmua-entertainment-co-and-pea/<br />
<br />
'''Summary:''' "Rogers v. Grimaldi, 875 F.2d 994 (2d Cir. 1989)[1] is a trademark and intellectual freedom case, known for establishing the "Rogers test" for protecting uses of trademarks that implicate intellectual freedom issues."<br />
<br />
As summarized in the article: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/trademark-use-within-expressive-work-must-only-pass-rogers-test-not-likelihood-confu the Rogers Test has two qualifiers to determine if use of a mark is infringing in or upon a creative work:<br />
<br />
# "the use of the mark has no artistic relevance to the underlying work whatsoever,"<br />
# "or, it has some artistic relevance, but explicitly misleads as to the source or the content of the work.”<br />
<br />
'''International Trademark Association - INTABulletin - Litigating the First Amendment Defense in the Video Game Context''' : https://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/LitigatingtheFirstAmendmentDefenseintheVideoGameContext.aspx<br />
<br />
'''University of Georgia Law, Explicitly Explicit: The Rogers Test and the Ninth Circuit:''' http://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=jipl<br />
<br />
'''Related Court Cases'''<br />
* E.S.S. Entertainment 2000, Inc. v. Rock Star Videos, Inc. - (PDF p. 16, Document p. 207): http://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=jipl AND https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1226414/ess-entertainment-2000-v-rock-star-videos/<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Likelihood of Confusion ====<br />
'''Summary:''' Depending on the district of the court there are a number of factors use when determining whether another mark will cause confusion against another mark. The 9th Circuit Courts use the Eight Sleekcraft Factors.<br />
<br />
'''Trademark Well - Likelihood of Confusion Tests by Circuit:''' https://trademarkwell.com/likelihood-of-confusion-tests-by-circuit/<br />
<br />
'''AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341, 348-49 (9th Cir.1979):''' https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1715537159001049163<br />
<br />
'''Eight Sleekcraft Factors''' ( AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341, 348-49 (9th Cir.1979) )<br />
# the strength of the mark<br />
# the proximity of the goods<br />
# the similarity of the marks<br />
# evidence of actual confusion<br />
# the marketing channels used<br />
# the type of goods and the degree of care likely to be exercised by the purchaser<br />
# the defendant's intent in selecting the mark<br />
# the likelihood of expansion of the product lines<br />
<br />
'''The California Blog of Appeal - Eight Means Eight:''' http://www.calblogofappeal.com/2008/02/22/eight-means-eight/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Standards ====<br />
* [https://www.aipla.org/ AIPLA American Intellectual Property Law Association]<br />
* [https://www.aipla.org/committees/committee_pages/Trademark-Litigation/Committee%20Documents/Federal%20Circuit%20Map%20of%20Legal%20Standards%20Chart/9th%20Circuit%20Standards%202017.pdf AIPLA - Committees - Trademark Litigation - Legal Standards of the Federal Circuit Courts - 2017 Update: 9th Circuit Court: ]<br />
: This document contains the standards used to determine certain factors regarding Trademark Law within the 9th Circuit courts. These include: Secondary Meaning, Likelihood of Confusion, Initial Interest Confusion, Preliminary Injunction Standard, Laches, Abandonment, Fair Use, Use of Internet Keywords, Secondary Liability, Aesthetic Functionality, Dilution, and Damages<br />
* [http://www3.ce9.uscourts.gov/jury-instructions/model-civil Jury instruction templates for the 9th Circuit]<br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=File:Stardock_Proposed_Settlement.pdf&diff=34530File:Stardock Proposed Settlement.pdf2020-12-20T19:55:52Z<p>Oghor: * [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]
** [https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/images/8/89/StardockSettlementSchedD.png Stardock's Proposed Schedule D] ([https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Original])</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/images/8/89/StardockSettlementSchedD.png Stardock's Proposed Schedule D] ([https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Original])</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Star_Control_II&diff=34529Star Control II2020-12-03T19:09:50Z<p>Oghor: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Star Control II''', the sequel to the original [[Star Control]], is a space adventure game that features role-playing elements alongside a robust 2D combat system. It was a milestone for non-linear gaming and an undeniable influence on modern space travel games such as ''Homeworld''; many consider it one of the best computer games of all time. The player assumes the role of [[The Captain]] of a single [[The Flagship|starship]] wandering a detailed environment of solar systems, gradually gathering information and resources in order to defeat a mysterious and implacable enemy; the plot contains numerous [[Mysteries left by Star Control II|mysteries]] and other half-explained elements that contribute to the beauty of the game,{{ref|1}} along with a rare sense of humor that manifests numerous times, inevitably having the player rolling on the floor laughing.<br />
<br />
==Gameplay==<br />
<br />
It is difficult to pin SC2 down to a single genre; it contains elements of exploration, scavenging, diplomacy, role-playing, and combat, blended together seamlessly. Intense, real-time, ship-to-ship [[Super Melee|melee]] is sprinkled throughout your interstellar travels. [[The Flagship]] can be outfitted with various [[List of Flagship Modules|modules]] to change and improve how it functions, as well as bolstering its effectiveness in battle. The meat of the game, however, is information gathering and the acquiring of unique inventory items through conversation and exploration to unravel the numerous mysteries of space. <br />
<br />
Game play is divided into six basic modes:<br />
* Conversation - Interact with other [[List of Races|sentient species]]; Learn from them, trade with them, and form alliances (or attack them). The dialogue was written in five months by various people after Paul Reiche III's plot structure.{{ref|2}}<br />
* Solar system exploration - Navigate solar systems with your flagship, exploring the various planets and moons, while contacting or avoiding other ships in the region.<br />
* Planetary exploration - Control the [[Planet Lander]] to collect [[List of mineral types|minerals]] and [[List_of_bio_types|biological data]] while avoiding earthquakes, hotspots, lightning, and aggressive life forms.<br />
* [[HyperSpace]] travel - Travel from star to star in HyperSpace (and later, [[QuasiSpace]]) while being chased by unidentifiable [[List_of_ships|alien ships]], represented as [[gravity well]]s. <br />
* Flagship/fleet management - Spend your accumulated [[Resource units]] (RUs). Outfit your flagship for whatever lies ahead. Construct a fleet of up to 12 escort ships. Add crew and fuel to you fleet.<br />
* Space combat - Fly your armada against alien ships in an all-out brawl to the death (unless you run away...).<br />
<br />
Created by [[Toys For Bob]], Star Control II was released for the PC in 1992, and the [[3DO]] in 1994. The 3DO port included remixed music, spoken dialogue, and 3D-rendered cut scenes, among other [[Version Comparison|version differences]]. [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] (also known as UQM) is a free port of Star Control II for modern personal computers and operating systems, derived from the 3DO code because the original PC source was lost. UQM removes bugs, enables network play and serves as a base for mod projects.<br />
<br />
==Plot==<br />
Star Control II begins on 17 February 2155, some twenty years after the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy|Hierarchy of Battle Thralls]] crushed the [[Alliance of Free Stars]] in the [[Ur-Quan Slave War]].<br />
<br />
''Player 1'' enters the game as The Captain, who grew up in a marooned scientific outpost on the planet [[Unzervalt]] that lost contact with [[Earth]] during the war. The Humans have discovered an extremely ancient starship factory and built the skeleton of the giant [[The Flagship|Flagship]]. The Captain and his small crew pilot the Flagship to [[Sol]], where they find that Earth has been encased in an impenetrable [[Slave Shield]]. At the orbital space station, they meet [[Hayes|Commander Hayes]], who is skeptical of their identity, but brings them up to date on the War and the fate of the old Alliance. At this point, the Captain and the Commander establish the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] and embark on a mission to resurrect the coalition and liberate the galaxy from [[Ur-Quan]] rule.<br />
<br />
The events that follow, and their chronology, depend on the player. As the Captain pilots the Flagship thru the galaxy, he will make contact with many races, some will be eager to join the Alliance, some will be outright hostile, and others will have their own agendas altogether. The Captain can pretend to be a pair of gods and convince a race to rename itself, he can start a civil war, sell his crew into slavery, put the moves on a hypersexualized blue alien woman, speed up "the process", learn about the extremely ancient [[Precursors]], and even fix a seemingly useless device that brings insurmountable joy to an entire world. <br />
<br />
Above all, The Captain will learn that the New Alliance faces a new enemy. In addition to the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy]], there are the [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah]], a superpower who have migrated into our corner of the galaxy to continue the [[Doctrinal Conflict|Doctrinal War]] against the established [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]]. As the Captain's fleet becomes more and more involved, the conflict becomes a battle royal of ideologies, pitting the imperialist slavery of the [[Path of Now and Forever]] against the genocidal [[Eternal Doctrine]] against peace and [[New Alliance of Free Stars|Allied]] co-operation.<br />
<br />
If the Captain manages to play his [[DataPlate|data plates]] right, he will find himself allied with the [[Chmmr]], a new race of old friends who outfit the Flagship with a powerful bomb. The Captain will take the Flagship and its escort fleet on one final mission to locate and attack the [[Sa-Matra]], a seemingly invincible battleship that both the Kzer-Ah and Kohr-Ah use to ensure their domination.<br />
<br />
In addition to the in-game action, some plot elements could not be programmed in time and are not present in the final product. This includes an easter egg dialogue with the game creators at [[Groombridge]], a [[Hoaxes and Rumours FAQ#I hear there's some way to get a cloaking device for the Precursor ship. Where can I find it?|cloaking device]] for The Flagship, and strange events caused by bringing [[Orz]] ships in [[QuasiSpace]]. {{ref|3}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[The Ur-Quan Masters]]<br />
*[[Star Control]]<br />
*[[Star Control 3]]<br />
<br />
==Notes and references==<br />
{{note|1}}{{FredMail}}<br />
::I think one of the reasons SC has endured is that Paul and I were conscious of hinting about things, but ultimately letting the game-player use his or her imagination to fill in the picture. Frungy is the poster-boy for this technique. <br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::We left ourselves and you enough unexplained and interesting mysteries that we would have a wide variety of choices for expanding into a sequel. Neither Paul nor I are meticulous planners -- that takes all the fun out of exploring ones capabilities. So we had many possible avenues, one or more of which we would have explored, if a sequel had been in the cards. <br />
{{note|2}}{{IRC1998}}<br />
::<_Stilgar> <Spyhunter> Fwiffo: "How many people was involved in writing the huge amounts of dialoque in SC2?"<br><br />
::<Fwiffo> Regarding the dialog: I defined the conversations structurally and wrote pieces of all of them, however, Greg Johnson was responsible for the majority of the Orz, Arilou, and Pkunk. Mat Genser wrote the Utwig and Ilwrath. Robert Leyland wrote the Supox, and Leonard Robel wrote some of the Thraddash. Iain McCaig did much of the VUX.<br><br />
::<Fwiffo> The dialog took about 5 months.<br />
:{{IRC2007}}<br />
::<+PR3> The Orz dialog was begun by Erol Otus, fleshed out by Greg Jognson ''[sic]'' (off of plot structures by me) and then I added a little wackiness.<br />
{{note|3}}{{FredMail}}<br />
::[Groombridge] was basically going to be an easter egg where you would be able to progress through a conversation tree much like any of the other alien race conversations. We were going to reveal interesting trivia and possibly pose questions to you which were impossible for you to answer correctly -- like which do you like better about this game: the design or the programming? And suddenly you might find yourself in the middle of Urquan ''[sic]'' space (ala the Talking Pet). <br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::O.K., O.K. I must admit the conversation threads relating to the cloaking device have been the most amusing to someone who knows the truth and after six years I don't think it will diminish the game to put this matter to rest. No, there is no cloaking device. Yes, there was going to be one, but we couldn't figure out a way, given the limitations of two players fighting on the same screen, to make it functionally better/more interesting than the [[Ilwrath]]'s.<br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::The first [interesting plot line left out of the final product] that comes to mind is that we wanted the Orz to be much scarier and if you ever took them into Quasi-space with you bad things would happen. We really wanted them to creep you out so that you were never sure whether or not it was a good idea to be allied with them. <br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gog.com/gamecard/star_control_1_2 Star Control 1 + 2 at Good Old Games] (original DOS versions)<br />
* [https://www.filfre.net/2018/12/star-control-ii/ Ur-Quan Masters remake] (based on 3DO source code)<br />
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/star-control-ii/ Hardcore Gaming Retrospective]<br />
* [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/02/15/star-control-ii-retrospective/ Rock, Paper, Shotgun Retrospective]<br />
* [https://www.filfre.net/2018/12/star-control-ii/ Digital Antiquarian Retrospective]<br />
* [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/07/an-extended-interview-with-star-control-creators-fred-ford-paul-reiche-iii/ Ars Technica Creator Interview]<br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Star_Control_3&diff=34528Star Control 32020-12-03T19:08:08Z<p>Oghor: </p>
<hr />
<div>:''This article discusses only the real-life events surrounding the release of the game, and does not cover the details about the game, such as the story or races.''<br />
<br />
'''Star Control 3''', made by [[Legend Entertainment]] for [[Accolade]], was supposed to be the successor to [[Star Control II]]. However, many fans of the series were disappointed by the game: it featured fewer and less distinct ships and races, less diverse modes of gameplay, and a less interesting story that conflicted with the established facts of the [[Star Control Universe]] and the ending of SC2. SC3 seemed to lack the creativity and the fun feel of the original, instead offering "features" that looked good on paper, but didn't make the game better.<br />
<br />
Many fans pin this failure on the fact that the game was not made by [[Toys For Bob]], the creators of [[Star Control]] and Star Control II. Some perceive Accolade as trying to capitalize on the ''Star Control'' name (for which they own the [[Star Control Trademark|trademark]]) by selling an inferior game, while some think that Accolade didn't have the talent to make a game as good as SC2.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the reason, most fans of Toys For Bob and SC2, including SC2's developers,{{ref|1}} dismiss SC3 as being "untrue" to the series (the acronym "SCNot3" is often used on the discussion boards, referring to the fact that SC3 is not a sequel to SC2 as the name would imply), and feel that the story and races of SC3 should be ignored and a "true" sequel should be created. One such attempt is [[TimeWarp]], currently in development.<br />
<br />
Star Control 4 (aka StarCon) was reportedly in development by [[Infogrames]] (who purchased Accolade and the Star Control trademark) as a sequel to Star Control 3, but it appears as if development was halted.<br />
<br />
Recently Toys for Bob have announced that they want their next game to be a Star Control game, a true [[Star Control sequel|sequel]] to Star Control II. They're asking for support from the public to convince Activision, of which they are a development studio. A petition site can be found [http://sc2.sourceforge.net/petition/petition.php here].<br />
<br />
<br />
See also: [[Canon]]<br />
<br />
==Notes and references==<br />
{{note|1}}{{PaulMail}}<br />
::I like they folks at Legend very much. They took on SC3 largely because they liked SC I & II, so clearly they have excellent taste! Unfortunately, I think that the design for SC3 tried to cover too many bases, and as a result lacked focus and punch.<br />
:{{PaulMail}}<br />
::No, we'd do a new and different SC3. I love the folks at Legend, and I appreciate all the work they did, but to take SC into the future we'd need to undo some of the plot stuff SC3 included.<br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::We have never considered Accolade evil. Just a little slow and unimaginative.<br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::Paul played it much more extensively than I did. But I can say that when you've planned to do a sequel of something you created and someone else does it first and differently, it leaves a funny taste in your mouth. <br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [https://www.gog.com/game/star_control_iii Star Control 3] on GOG.com<br />
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/star-control-3/ Hardcore Gaming Retrospective]<br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Star_Control_II&diff=34527Star Control II2020-12-03T19:06:16Z<p>Oghor: /* External links */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Star Control II''', the sequel to the original [[Star Control]], is a space adventure game that features role-playing elements alongside a robust 2D combat system. It was a milestone for non-linear gaming and an undeniable influence on modern space travel games such as ''Homeworld''; many consider it one of the best computer games of all time. The player assumes the role of [[The Captain]] of a single [[The Flagship|starship]] wandering a detailed environment of solar systems, gradually gathering information and resources in order to defeat a mysterious and implacable enemy; the plot contains numerous [[Mysteries left by Star Control II|mysteries]] and other half-explained elements that contribute to the beauty of the game,{{ref|1}} along with a rare sense of humor that manifests numerous times, inevitably having the player rolling on the floor laughing.<br />
<br />
==Gameplay==<br />
<br />
It is difficult to pin SC2 down to a single genre; it contains elements of exploration, scavenging, diplomacy, role-playing, and combat, blended together seamlessly. Intense, real-time, ship-to-ship [[Super Melee|melee]] is sprinkled throughout your interstellar travels. [[The Flagship]] can be outfitted with various [[List of Flagship Modules|modules]] to change and improve how it functions, as well as bolstering its effectiveness in battle. The meat of the game, however, is information gathering and the acquiring of unique inventory items through conversation and exploration to unravel the numerous mysteries of space. <br />
<br />
Game play is divided into six basic modes:<br />
* Conversation - Interact with other [[List of Races|sentient species]]; Learn from them, trade with them, and form alliances (or attack them). The dialogue was written in five months by various people after Paul Reiche III's plot structure.{{ref|2}}<br />
* Solar system exploration - Navigate solar systems with your flagship, exploring the various planets and moons, while contacting or avoiding other ships in the region.<br />
* Planetary exploration - Control the [[Planet Lander]] to collect [[List of mineral types|minerals]] and [[List_of_bio_types|biological data]] while avoiding earthquakes, hotspots, lightning, and aggressive life forms.<br />
* [[HyperSpace]] travel - Travel from star to star in HyperSpace (and later, [[QuasiSpace]]) while being chased by unidentifiable [[List_of_ships|alien ships]], represented as [[gravity well]]s. <br />
* Flagship/fleet management - Spend your accumulated [[Resource units]] (RUs). Outfit your flagship for whatever lies ahead. Construct a fleet of up to 12 escort ships. Add crew and fuel to you fleet.<br />
* Space combat - Fly your armada against alien ships in an all-out brawl to the death (unless you run away...).<br />
<br />
Created by [[Toys For Bob]], Star Control II was released for the PC in 1992, and the [[3DO]] in 1994. The 3DO port included remixed music, spoken dialogue, and 3D-rendered cut scenes, among other [[Version Comparison|version differences]]. [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] (also known as UQM) is a free port of Star Control II for modern personal computers and operating systems, derived from the 3DO code because the original PC source was lost. UQM removes bugs, enables network play and serves as a base for mod projects.<br />
<br />
==Plot==<br />
Star Control II begins on 17 February 2155, some twenty years after the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy|Hierarchy of Battle Thralls]] crushed the [[Alliance of Free Stars]] in the [[Ur-Quan Slave War]].<br />
<br />
''Player 1'' enters the game as The Captain, who grew up in a marooned scientific outpost on the planet [[Unzervalt]] that lost contact with [[Earth]] during the war. The Humans have discovered an extremely ancient starship factory and built the skeleton of the giant [[The Flagship|Flagship]]. The Captain and his small crew pilot the Flagship to [[Sol]], where they find that Earth has been encased in an impenetrable [[Slave Shield]]. At the orbital space station, they meet [[Hayes|Commander Hayes]], who is skeptical of their identity, but brings them up to date on the War and the fate of the old Alliance. At this point, the Captain and the Commander establish the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] and embark on a mission to resurrect the coalition and liberate the galaxy from [[Ur-Quan]] rule.<br />
<br />
The events that follow, and their chronology, depend on the player. As the Captain pilots the Flagship thru the galaxy, he will make contact with many races, some will be eager to join the Alliance, some will be outright hostile, and others will have their own agendas altogether. The Captain can pretend to be a pair of gods and convince a race to rename itself, he can start a civil war, sell his crew into slavery, put the moves on a hypersexualized blue alien woman, speed up "the process", learn about the extremely ancient [[Precursors]], and even fix a seemingly useless device that brings insurmountable joy to an entire world. <br />
<br />
Above all, The Captain will learn that the New Alliance faces a new enemy. In addition to the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy]], there are the [[Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah]], a superpower who have migrated into our corner of the galaxy to continue the [[Doctrinal Conflict|Doctrinal War]] against the established [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]]. As the Captain's fleet becomes more and more involved, the conflict becomes a battle royal of ideologies, pitting the imperialist slavery of the [[Path of Now and Forever]] against the genocidal [[Eternal Doctrine]] against peace and [[New Alliance of Free Stars|Allied]] co-operation.<br />
<br />
If the Captain manages to play his [[DataPlate|data plates]] right, he will find himself allied with the [[Chmmr]], a new race of old friends who outfit the Flagship with a powerful bomb. The Captain will take the Flagship and its escort fleet on one final mission to locate and attack the [[Sa-Matra]], a seemingly invincible battleship that both the Kzer-Ah and Kohr-Ah use to ensure their domination.<br />
<br />
In addition to the in-game action, some plot elements could not be programmed in time and are not present in the final product. This includes an easter egg dialogue with the game creators at [[Groombridge]], a [[Hoaxes and Rumours FAQ#I hear there's some way to get a cloaking device for the Precursor ship. Where can I find it?|cloaking device]] for The Flagship, and strange events caused by bringing [[Orz]] ships in [[QuasiSpace]]. {{ref|3}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[The Ur-Quan Masters]]<br />
*[[Star Control]]<br />
*[[Star Control 3]]<br />
<br />
==Notes and references==<br />
{{note|1}}{{FredMail}}<br />
::I think one of the reasons SC has endured is that Paul and I were conscious of hinting about things, but ultimately letting the game-player use his or her imagination to fill in the picture. Frungy is the poster-boy for this technique. <br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::We left ourselves and you enough unexplained and interesting mysteries that we would have a wide variety of choices for expanding into a sequel. Neither Paul nor I are meticulous planners -- that takes all the fun out of exploring ones capabilities. So we had many possible avenues, one or more of which we would have explored, if a sequel had been in the cards. <br />
{{note|2}}{{IRC1998}}<br />
::<_Stilgar> <Spyhunter> Fwiffo: "How many people was involved in writing the huge amounts of dialoque in SC2?"<br><br />
::<Fwiffo> Regarding the dialog: I defined the conversations structurally and wrote pieces of all of them, however, Greg Johnson was responsible for the majority of the Orz, Arilou, and Pkunk. Mat Genser wrote the Utwig and Ilwrath. Robert Leyland wrote the Supox, and Leonard Robel wrote some of the Thraddash. Iain McCaig did much of the VUX.<br><br />
::<Fwiffo> The dialog took about 5 months.<br />
:{{IRC2007}}<br />
::<+PR3> The Orz dialog was begun by Erol Otus, fleshed out by Greg Jognson ''[sic]'' (off of plot structures by me) and then I added a little wackiness.<br />
{{note|3}}{{FredMail}}<br />
::[Groombridge] was basically going to be an easter egg where you would be able to progress through a conversation tree much like any of the other alien race conversations. We were going to reveal interesting trivia and possibly pose questions to you which were impossible for you to answer correctly -- like which do you like better about this game: the design or the programming? And suddenly you might find yourself in the middle of Urquan ''[sic]'' space (ala the Talking Pet). <br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::O.K., O.K. I must admit the conversation threads relating to the cloaking device have been the most amusing to someone who knows the truth and after six years I don't think it will diminish the game to put this matter to rest. No, there is no cloaking device. Yes, there was going to be one, but we couldn't figure out a way, given the limitations of two players fighting on the same screen, to make it functionally better/more interesting than the [[Ilwrath]]'s.<br />
:{{FredMail}}<br />
::The first [interesting plot line left out of the final product] that comes to mind is that we wanted the Orz to be much scarier and if you ever took them into Quasi-space with you bad things would happen. We really wanted them to creep you out so that you were never sure whether or not it was a good idea to be allied with them. <br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gog.com/gamecard/star_control_1_2 Star Control 1 + 2 at Good Old Games] (original DOS versions)<br />
* [https://www.filfre.net/2018/12/star-control-ii/ Ur-Quan Masters remake] (based on 3DO source code)<br />
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/star-control-ii/ Hardcore Gaming Retrospective]<br />
* [https://www.filfre.net/2018/12/star-control-ii/ Digital Antiquarian Retrospective]<br />
* [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/07/an-extended-interview-with-star-control-creators-fred-ford-paul-reiche-iii/ Ars Technica Creator Interview]<br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Star_Control&diff=34526Star Control2020-12-03T19:00:02Z<p>Oghor: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{incomplete}}<br />
<br />
[[Image:Star Control I Title Screen.png|thumb|right|Star Control title screen for the IBM PC.]]<br />
:''This article is about the Star Control game. For information on the Star Control organization, see [[Star Control (Organization)]].<br />
'''Star Control: Famous Battles of the Ur-Quan Conflict Volume IV''' was developed by [[Fred Ford]] and [[Paul Reiche III]]. It was released for the PC in 1990 and (in a somewhat cut-down form, and called simply '''Star Control''') for the Commodore 64 in 1991 by [[Accolade]]. A port for the Sega Genesis was released by Ballistic in that same year. The DOS version is [http://www.gog.com/gamecard/star_control_1_2 available from Good Old Games].<br />
<br />
Game play is a mixture of action and strategy. Players control fleets of ships and maneuver them about a star map, mining, colonizing, and fortifying planets while building up a fleet. When two (or more) enemy ships meet in orbit around a planet, they engage in a one-on-one dogfight to the death. This aspect of the game draws its inspiration from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacewar SPACEWAR!] (written for the PDP-1).<br />
<br />
Two things set Star Control apart from various other SPACEWAR! 'clones' - the aspect of strategy and the diversity of the ships (leading to higher quality game play). Each ship has a unique weapon and special ability, as well as varied stats that affect its performance in combat directly. Players must learn the strengths and weaknesses of each vessel and how to cope with them.<br />
<br />
The game consisted of two sides: The [[Alliance of Free Stars]], the protagonists (good guys), and the [[Ur-Quan Hierarchy]], the antagonists (bad guys).<br />
<br />
Listed here in the order they appear in the game are the Alliance races, their ships and their ship's value (in Starbucks):<br />
{|<br />
!Alliance Race || Ship || Starbucks<br />
|-<br />
|[[Chenjesu]] || [[Broodhome]]||align="center"|26<br />
|-<br />
|[[Yehat]] || [[Terminator]]||align="center"|23<br />
|-<br />
|[[Mmrnmhrm]] || [[Transformer]]||align="center"|19<br />
|-<br />
|[[Arilou|Arilou Lalee'lay]] || [[Skiff]]||align="center"|16<br />
|-<br />
|[[Syreen]] || [[Penetrator]]||align="center"|12<br />
|-<br />
|[[Earthling]] || [[Cruiser]]||align="center"|9<br />
|-<br />
|[[Shofixti]] || [[Scout]]||align="center"|5<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Listed here in the order they appear in the game are the Hierarchy races and their ships:<br />
{|<br />
!Hierarchy Race || Ship || Starbucks<br />
|-<br />
|[[Ur-Quan]] || [[Dreadnought]] ||align="center"|30<br />
|-<br />
|[[Mycon]] || [[Podship]] ||align="center"|23<br />
|-<br />
|[[Spathi]] || [[Eluder|Discriminator]] ||align="center"|18<br />
|-<br />
|[[Androsynth]] || [[Guardian]] ||align="center"|15<br />
|-<br />
|[[VUX]] || [[Intruder]] ||align="center"|12<br />
|-<br />
|[[Ilwrath]] || [[Avenger]] ||align="center"|10<br />
|-<br />
|[[Umgah]] || [[Drone]] ||align="center"|7<br />
|}<br />
<br />
As shown here, the Earthlings were not the most powerful, nor the center of the game. They were just one of many races. Their Cruiser vessel, though deadly in the right hands, was slow and third to last in point value.<br />
<br />
Star Control laid the foundations for [[Star Control II]], a masterpiece of space exploration, combat, and diplomacy.<br />
<br />
Star Control and [[Star Control II]] are full of [[Influences and References|nods, influences, and references]] to other science fiction (and some non-scifi) sources.<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*''[[Ur-Quan Slave War#Campaigns|Star Control scenarios]]''<br />
*[[Star Control II]]<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gog.com/gamecard/star_control_1_2 Star Control 1 + 2 at Good Old Games] (original DOS versions)<br />
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/star-control/ Hardcore Gaming Retrospective]<br />
* [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/07/an-extended-interview-with-star-control-creators-fred-ford-paul-reiche-iii/ Ars Technica Creator Interview]<br />
<br />
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=33745Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2018-04-15T22:02:16Z<p>Oghor: /* Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Basic background ==<br />
<br />
* who, what, why...<br />
<br />
== Copyright ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyrights in Star Control 1, 2, and 3? ===<br />
==== Star Control 1 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1989-90 - Reiche and Ford<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 2 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0002071496<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Artistic content not created by Reiche and Ford could belong to the original artists.<br />
<br />
===== Music =====<br />
When P&F made SC2, they held a contest to make the theme songs. [[Riku Nuottajärvi]] won the contest, and supplied much of the music. We do not currently know the terms of the license P&F used Riku's music under. We can presume that it was not exclusive, because Riku has since released new remixes of that music. However, we do not know if the license permitted additional derivative works - something that would be necessary if GotP is to use new versions of the SC2 music.<br />
<br />
Stardock hired Riku as the music lead for SC:O. It is also not known what license terms he's developing the SC:O music under; if he is a regular employee, Stardock will probably own the copyright to any music he creates. Moreover, he will probably be under a non-compete agreement that would prohibit him working on GotP for some time, even if he were to leave Stardock. If he is an independent contractor, then he could be under different terms.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that the music situation is shaping up to be one of the many thorny issues in this suit. Stardock reacted very negatively to the terms in P&F's proposed settlement that would have precluded their use of its music, and Paul and Fred are known to be reviewing their records for the ownership and licensing of the music in SC2. We will have a better sense for the situation when/if the license terms for the music are revealed through the court discovery process.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, though, section 1.5 of Addendum 3 to the 1988 contract includes music under the the intellectual property "owned by Reiche." How these things fit together remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 3 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1996 Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0000799000<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Elements in Star Control 3 that derived from Star Control 2 could belong to Reiche and Ford.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under copyright? ===<br />
<br />
=== What is a derivative work? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== How does the DMCA takedown process work? ===<br />
<br />
* https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/512<br />
<br />
== Licensing agreement ==<br />
<br />
=== What is a licensing agreement? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... 1988 licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
=== ... acquisition of licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
== Trademarks ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the Trademark in "Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under Trademark? ===<br />
<br />
From the [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office]: "A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services."<br />
<br />
* [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Basics]<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIBcl7dD4w#action=share Basic Facts: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzZL2yfUgI&feature=youtu.be Basic Facts: Should I Register My Mark?] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== What about the recent Trademark applications? ===<br />
<br />
== Unfair competition ==<br />
<br />
=== What are the allegations of unfair competition in each lawsuit? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter if P&F call themselves the "creators of Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter how Stardock described their relationship with P&F leading up to SC:O? ===<br />
<br />
== Timeline of Star Control history ==<br />
<br />
=== Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-2000 ===<br />
<br />
* 1988 agreement<br />
* '''1990, July''': ''Star Control'' is released, created by Paul Reiche and Fred Ford.{{ref|90}}<br />
* '''1992, October''': ''Star Control 2'' is released, and is acclaimed as one of the best games that year.{{ref|92}}<br />
* '''1996, September''': ''Star Control 3'' is released, based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford.{{ref|96}}<br />
* '''1997''': Compared to the first two games created by Toys for Bob, the third game from Legend Entertainment is not well-received by fans and receives weaker sales.{{ref|97}}<br />
* '''1998, September''': Toys for Bob develop new games and franchises, and press and advertisements continue to describe them as "the creators of Star Control". {{ref|98-9}}<br />
* '''1998, October - IRC Chat''': Fans frequently push for a sequel made by Toys for Bob. Paul and Fred tell fans that their campaigns will help make that possible, and that they personally own all rights in Star Control, other than the name and material in SC3.{{ref|98-10}}<br />
* '''2000''': A fourth game is attempted as a 3D combat game, and is ultimately scrapped after a few iterations.{{ref|00}}<br />
<BR><br />
<BR><br />
{{note|90}} [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438453/ "Star Control".] Interned Movie Database.<br />
{{note|92}} Trevena, Stanley (March 1993). [http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104 "Accolade's Star Control II"]. Computer Gaming World. p. 34.<br />
{{note|96}} (September 1996). [http://cd.textfiles.com/cdaction/cdaction16a/SC3DEMO/MANUAL.TXT "Star Control 3: Manual".] Accolade. <br />
:: ''"(c) 1996 Accolade, Inc. All rights reserved. Star Control 3 is based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford."''<br />
{{note|97}} [https://www.giantbomb.com/legend-entertainment-company/3010-332/ "Legend Entertainment Company".] Giant Bomb;<BR> [http://www.star-control.com/sc3/ "Star Control 3".] The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control. <br />
:: ''"During this period, the company also developed Star Control 3, sequel to the much loved Star Control 2 created by Toys for Bob. The game was not well-received by fans and suffered from poor sales."''<br />
{{note|98-9}} (September 1998) [http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/unholy-war/adblurbs "Unholy War - Press Release"]. Eidos Interactive & Crystal Dynamics. <br />
:: ''"From the creators of "Star Control" I & II and the co-designer of Archon..."''<br />
{{note|98-10}} "[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/IRC_chat_Oct_1998_QA_trim IRC chat Oct 1998]". Transcript from IRC.<br />
{{note|00}} "[http://www.star-control.com/sc4/ Star Control 4.]" The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control;<BR>(April, 2000). Dunkin, Alan. "[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-control-4-renamed/1100-2462887/ Star Control 4 Renamed]". GameSpot.<br />
<br />
=== Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 ===<br />
<br />
* Interviews<br />
* Best of<br />
* GOG<br />
<br />
During the 2000s (if not later), Toys for Bob's website would periodically mention their desire for a new Star Control. Unfortunately archive.org has not preserved its Flash format well. However, some of the updates can be found on the [http://starcontroller.com Star Controller blog.] Employee Alex Ness (who did not work on the original games) seems to have written most of the updates, but since it was on their official site we can assume it represented the Toys for Bob management too.<br />
* In April 2001, Addendum 3 to the original contract expired. According to Reiche and Ford, by this date all rights to SC1/2 reverted back to them except the trademark.<br />
* '''2002, November''': The Ur-Quan Masters open source project is released on Source Forge, with Star Control 2 code donated by Toys for Bob. The game earns 100,000 downloads within its first month, and nearly 2 million downloads over the lifetime of the project. {{ref|02}}<br />
* '''2003, August - IRC Chat''': Paul and Fred discuss the Ur-Quan Masters project, and voice their support for the fan community who worked on it.{{ref|03}}<br />
* '''2005, May''': Journalists report that Toys for Bob, "the brains behind Star Control", have been fully acquired by Activision.{{ref|05}}<br />
* '''2005, December''': Star Control 2 is ranked #17 on IGN's top 100 games of all time.{{ref|05-b}}<br />
* '''2006, March''': ''Pelit'' reports that that around the year 2000, Toys for Bob turned down an offer to purchase the Star Control Trademark from Accolade for $50,000, prompting them to consider a Star Control sequel under a different name.{{ref|06-3}}<br />
* '''2006, April''': Journalists and fans report that Toys for Bob, the creators of Star Control, are organizing an official petition to create a new Star Control, and implies that they have the rights to the franchise.{{ref|06-4}} <br />
* In June 2006, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"We (I) [written by TFB employee Alex Ness] want us to do a Star Control sequel."'' <br />
* '''2006, August''': Star Control 2 is noted as a breakthrough game on the Sega Genesis, as "Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford’s masterpiece". {{ref|06-8}}<br />
* In June 2007, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"Well, we have talked to our parent company Activision about doing a Star Control sequel, quite seriously, and there did honestly seem to be some real live interest on their part."''<br />
* '''2007, June - IRC Chat''': Paul and Fred discuss the petition and their efforts to make another Star Control. ''"You will see an SC3 someday. Paul and I have every intention of continuing our almost 19 year collaboration and we're still excited about SC”''{{ref|07-6}}<br />
* In September 2007, Atari renewed the Star Control trademark, which Reiche and Ford's counterclaim argues was invalid.<br />
* '''2007, December''': In IGN's top 100 games list honoring Archon, they note Paul Reiche was half of the partnership that made Star Control.{{ref|07-12}}<br />
* '''2008, December''': IGN includes Star Control in a list of 10 games they would most like to see another sequel.{{ref|08-12}}<br />
* In August 2010, in a topic about an SC sequel, Fred Ford [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4211#p4211 wrote on the Star Control discussion board] "''On a side note, I want to mention that I've started doing some unspecified work away from the office after some early and continuing conversations with Paul. Just saying...and it's way early yet...and it's just me...so, yeah.''" He [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4235#p4235 followed up by saying] ''"It will definitely be in our spare time for a while...this is not a TFB venture. It is a Paul and Fred venture."''<br />
* '''2010, August''': An unofficial fan interview quotes Fred Ford as planning a 2D Star Control sequel as personal side-project.{{ref|10-8}} <br />
* '''2011, January''': IDDQD reports that Toys for Bob would like to make a true sequel to Star Control.{{ref|11-1}}<br />
* '''2011, April''': Star Control 1 and 2 are announced for sale on GOG.{{ref|11-4}}<br />
* '''2011, June''': An Engadget profile on Toys for Bob notes Paul Reiche as the co-creator of Star Control.{{ref|11-6}}<br />
* '''2011, October''': In an interview with CVG, Paul Reiche announces: "we promise someday, we will make the real sequel" to Star Control.{{ref|11-10}}<br />
* '''2011, November''': A Kotaku profile on Paul Reiche notes him as co-creator of Star Control.{{ref|11-11}}<br />
* '''2012, October''': In the leadup to another Toys for Bob game, Kotaku, Wired, and Destructoid all describe Toys for Bob as creators of Star Control.{{ref|12-10}}<br />
* In 2013, Atari filed for bankruptcy.<br />
* In July 2013, Stardock bought Atari's "Star Control" assets.<br />
<BR><br />
<BR><br />
{{note|02}} [https://sourceforge.net/projects/sc2/files/stats/timeline?dates=2002-08-05+to+2018-04-14 "The Ur Quan Masters - Download Statistics"]. SourceForce. Retrieved April 2018.<br />
{{note|03}} (August 2003) [http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20030822-formatted "Toys for Bob IRC Chat".) Transcript.<br />
{{note|05}} (May 2005) Surette, Tim. [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-bobs-for-toys/1100-6123494/ "Activision Bobs for Toys"] GameSpot.<br />
{{note|05-b}} (2005) [http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time - 2005]. IGN. <br />
{{note|06-3}} (March 2006) Nirvi, Niko. [https://www.pelit.fi/artikkelit/star-controlbrkontrollin-aikakirjat/ "Star ControlKontrollin aikakirjat".] Pelit (Finland).<br />
{{note|06-4}} (April 2006) [https://slashdot.org/story/06/04/16/0445202/hope-for-another-star-control-sequel "Hope for Another Star Control Sequel?"]. SlashDot.<br />
{{note|06-8}} (August 2006) Galway, Benjamin. [http://www.sega-16.com/2006/08/star-control/ "Star Control 2 - Genesis Reviews"]. Sega-16.<br />
{{note|07-6}} (June 2007) [http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20070613-clean "Toys for bob IRC Chat.) Transcript.<br />
{{note|07-12}} (2007) "[http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_100.html IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time - 2007]". IGN.<br />
{{note|08-12}} (December 2008) "[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected The Wednesday 10: Franchises We Want Resurrected]". IGN.<br />
{{note|10-8}} (August, 2010) [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=291 "Interview with Fred Ford"]. Star-Control.com.<br />
{{note|11-1}} (January, 2011) [http://iddqd.blog.hu/2011/01/13/heti_retro_star_control_ii?token=a828faf30f42c183b7a52775350f096b Heti retro: Star Control II]. IDDQD.<br />
{{note|11-4}} (April, 2011) [http://iddqd.blog.hu/2011/01/13/heti_retro_star_control_ii?token=a828faf30f42c183b7a52775350f096b New release: Star Control 1+2]. GOG.<br />
{{note|11-6}} (June, 2011) Schramm, Mike. [https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/whats-in-a-name-toys-for-bob/ What's In a Name: Toys for Bob]. Engadget.<br />
{{note|11-10}} (October, 2011) [http://starcontroller.com/?p=1928 Paul Reiche Interview on CVG]. Star Controller.<br />
:: ''"22 years ago, we founded Toys for Bob, Fred ford and myself; making Star Control 1 and 2, science fiction games, which to this day, have a bizarrely-dedicated fan following and we promise someday, we will make the real sequel."''<br />
{{note|11-11}} (November, 2011) Totilo, Stephen. [https://kotaku.com/5857232/the-man-who-wants-to-re-invent-toys-before-video-games-destroy-them "The Man Who Wants to Re Invent Toys Before Video Games Destroy Them"]. Kotaku.<br />
{{note|12-10}} (October, 2012) Fahey, Mike. [https://kotaku.com/5953530/skylanders-giants-the-kotaku-review Skylanders Giants - The Kotaku Review]. Kotaku.<BR>(October, 2012) Aziz, Hamza. [https://www.destructoid.com/merging-toys-and-videogames-with-skylanders-236668.phtml Merging toys and videogames with Skylanders]. Destructoid. <BR> (October, 2012) Olsen, Anton. [https://www.wired.com/2012/10/toys-for-bob-skylanders-giants/ Toys for Bob: From Star Control to Skylanders Giant]. Wired.<br />
<br />
== Timeline of legal dispute ==<br />
<br />
=== Stardock's new game: 2013-2017 ===<br />
<br />
* bankruptcy and sale<br />
* development<br />
<br />
=== Private and public dispute: 2017-present ===<br />
<br />
* public statements<br />
* claims<br />
* settlement offers<br />
<br />
== List of References ==<br />
=== Court Received===<br />
* [https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/23260369/Stardock_Systems,_Inc_v_PAUL_REICHE_III,_et_al PacerMonitor]<br />
* [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ CourtListener]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (1) - December 8, 2017 - COMPLAINT against Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/16/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (16) - February 22, 2018 - ANSWER to Complaint with JURY DEMAND byRobert Frederick Ford, Paul Reiche III.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (17) - February 22, 2018 - COUNTERCLAIM against Stardock Systems, Inc.. Filed byPaul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/27/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (27) - March 15, 2018 - AMENDED COMPLAINT]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/34/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (34) - March 28, 2018 - Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/35/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (35) - March 28, 2018 - Notice of Settlement Conference and Ordering Setting Settlement Conference before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/36/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (36) - March 28, 2018 - ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (37) - March 29, 2018 - Answer to Amended Complaint 27 by Robert Frederick Ford and Paul Reiche III]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/2/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 2 - Exhibit 2]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/3/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 3 - Exhibit 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/4/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 4 - Exhibit 4]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/5/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 5 - Exhibit 5]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385277-Stardock-Legal-Complaint-2635-000-P-2017-12-08-1.html Stardock Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html Fred and Paul Counter-Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford Stardock Amended Legal Complaint]<br />
<br />
=== Fred and Paul Provided ===<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/1/there-were-many-great-battles-and-some-of-them-involved-lawyers Dogar and Kazon - “THERE WERE MANY GREAT BATTLES... AND SOME OF THEM INVOLVED LAWYERS.”]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come Dogar and Kazon - Star Control® I, II and III aren't for sale on GOG.com anymore -- How come?]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/22/stardock-claims-we-are-not-the-creators-of-star-control-sues-us-wtf Dogar and Kazon - Stardock Claims We Are Not the Creators of Star Control. Sues Us. WTF?!]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/27/report-from-planet-surface Dogar and Kazon - .... Report From Surface ....]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/gog_email_chain_-_no_email_addresse GOG/Atari E-mail Conversation]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/18/strange-settlement-on-an-alien-planet Dogar and Kazon - Strange Settlement on an Alien Planet]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer Fred and Paul's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 22, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Stardock's Proposed Schedule D]<br />
<br />
=== Stardock Provided ===<br />
* [https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred Stardock Star Control Forums - Q+A regarding Star Control and Paul and Fred]<br />
<br />
=== Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations ===<br />
* Trademarks - [https://www.uspto.gov/ United States Patent and Trademark Office]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75095591&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Granted): "Star Control" - Originally by Accolade, Inc. Last Owner: Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87807839&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87697919&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Service Mark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Paul Reiche III]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810528&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Melnorme" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810518&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Arilou" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810526&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "VUX" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810516&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Pkunk" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810502&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ilwrath" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810499&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Chenjesu" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810495&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Androsynth" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810492&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Spathi" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87662697&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "SUPER-MELEE" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810486&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Syreen" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810484&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ur-Quan" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810480&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Orz" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87825741&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Yehat" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
* Copyrights - [https://www.copyright.gov/ United States Copyright Office] - [http://cocatalog.loc.gov United States Copyright Public Catalog]<br />
** Star Control II - PA0002071496 - Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III<br />
** Star Control III - PA0000799000 - Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
=== Game Related Materials ===<br />
==== Screenshots ====<br />
<gallery><br />
File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen<br />
</gallery></div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=33744Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2018-04-15T20:19:15Z<p>Oghor: /* Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Basic background ==<br />
<br />
* who, what, why...<br />
<br />
== Copyright ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyrights in Star Control 1, 2, and 3? ===<br />
==== Star Control 1 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1989-90 - Reiche and Ford<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 2 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0002071496<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Artistic content not created by Reiche and Ford could belong to the original artists.<br />
<br />
===== Music =====<br />
When P&F made SC2, they held a contest to make the theme songs. [[Riku Nuottajärvi]] won the contest, and supplied much of the music. We do not currently know the terms of the license P&F used Riku's music under. We can presume that it was not exclusive, because Riku has since released new remixes of that music. However, we do not know if the license permitted additional derivative works - something that would be necessary if GotP is to use new versions of the SC2 music.<br />
<br />
Stardock hired Riku as the music lead for SC:O. It is also not known what license terms he's developing the SC:O music under; if he is a regular employee, Stardock will probably own the copyright to any music he creates. Moreover, he will probably be under a non-compete agreement that would prohibit him working on GotP for some time, even if he were to leave Stardock. If he is an independent contractor, then he could be under different terms.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that the music situation is shaping up to be one of the many thorny issues in this suit. Stardock reacted very negatively to the terms in P&F's proposed settlement that would have precluded their use of its music, and Paul and Fred are known to be reviewing their records for the ownership and licensing of the music in SC2. We will have a better sense for the situation when/if the license terms for the music are revealed through the court discovery process.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, though, section 1.5 of Addendum 3 to the 1988 contract includes music under the the intellectual property "owned by Reiche." How these things fit together remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 3 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1996 Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0000799000<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Elements in Star Control 3 that derived from Star Control 2 could belong to Reiche and Ford.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under copyright? ===<br />
<br />
=== What is a derivative work? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== How does the DMCA takedown process work? ===<br />
<br />
* https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/512<br />
<br />
== Licensing agreement ==<br />
<br />
=== What is a licensing agreement? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... 1988 licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
=== ... acquisition of licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
== Trademarks ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the Trademark in "Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under Trademark? ===<br />
<br />
From the [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office]: "A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services."<br />
<br />
* [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Basics]<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIBcl7dD4w#action=share Basic Facts: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzZL2yfUgI&feature=youtu.be Basic Facts: Should I Register My Mark?] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== What about the recent Trademark applications? ===<br />
<br />
== Unfair competition ==<br />
<br />
=== What are the allegations of unfair competition in each lawsuit? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter if P&F call themselves the "creators of Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter how Stardock described their relationship with P&F leading up to SC:O? ===<br />
<br />
== Timeline of Star Control history ==<br />
<br />
=== Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-2000 ===<br />
<br />
* 1988 agreement<br />
* '''1990, July''': ''Star Control'' is released, created by Paul Reiche and Fred Ford.{{ref|90}}<br />
* '''1992, October''': ''Star Control 2'' is released, and is acclaimed as one of the best games that year.{{ref|92}}<br />
* '''1996, September''': ''Star Control 3'' is released, based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford.{{ref|96}}<br />
* '''1997''': Compared to the first two games created by Toys for Bob, the third game from Legend Entertainment is not well-received by fans and receives weaker sales.{{ref|97}}<br />
* '''1998, September''': Toys for Bob develop new games and franchises, and press and advertisements continue to describe them as "the creators of Star Control". {{ref|98-9}}<br />
* '''1998, October - IRC Chat''': Fans frequently push for a sequel made by Toys for Bob. Paul and Fred tell fans that their campaigns will help make that possible, and that they personally own all rights in Star Control, other than the name and material in SC3.{{ref|98-10}}<br />
* '''2000''': A fourth game is attempted as a 3D combat game, and is ultimately scrapped after a few iterations.{{ref|00}}<br />
<BR><br />
<BR><br />
{{note|90}} [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438453/ "Star Control".] Interned Movie Database.<br />
{{note|92}} Trevena, Stanley (March 1993). [http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104 "Accolade's Star Control II"]. Computer Gaming World. p. 34.<br />
{{note|96}} (September 1996). [http://cd.textfiles.com/cdaction/cdaction16a/SC3DEMO/MANUAL.TXT "Star Control 3: Manual".] Accolade. <br />
:: ''"(c) 1996 Accolade, Inc. All rights reserved. Star Control 3 is based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford."''<br />
{{note|97}} [https://www.giantbomb.com/legend-entertainment-company/3010-332/ "Legend Entertainment Company".] Giant Bomb;<BR> [http://www.star-control.com/sc3/ "Star Control 3".] The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control. <br />
:: ''"During this period, the company also developed Star Control 3, sequel to the much loved Star Control 2 created by Toys for Bob. The game was not well-received by fans and suffered from poor sales."''<br />
{{note|98-9}} (September 1998) [http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/unholy-war/adblurbs "Unholy War - Press Release"]. Eidos Interactive & Crystal Dynamics. <br />
:: ''"From the creators of "Star Control" I & II and the co-designer of Archon..."''<br />
{{note|98-10}} "[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/IRC_chat_Oct_1998_QA_trim IRC chat Oct 1998]". Transcript from IRC.<br />
{{note|00}} "[http://www.star-control.com/sc4/ Star Control 4.]" The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control;<BR>(April, 2000). Dunkin, Alan. "[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-control-4-renamed/1100-2462887/ Star Control 4 Renamed]". GameSpot.<br />
<br />
=== Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 ===<br />
<br />
* Interviews<br />
* Best of<br />
* GOG<br />
<br />
During the 2000s (if not later), Toys for Bob's website would periodically mention their desire for a new Star Control. Unfortunately archive.org has not preserved its Flash format well. However, some of the updates can be found on the [http://starcontroller.com Star Controller blog.] Employee Alex Ness (who did not work on the original games) seems to have written most of the updates, but since it was on their official site we can assume it represented the Toys for Bob management too.<br />
* In April 2001, Addendum 3 to the original contract expired. According to Reiche and Ford, by this date all rights to SC1/2 reverted back to them except the trademark.<br />
* '''2002, November''': The Ur-Quan Masters open source project is released on Source Forge, with Star Control 2 code donated by Toys for Bob. The game earns 100,000 downloads within its first month, and nearly 2 million downloads over the lifetime of the project. {{ref|02}}<br />
* '''2003, August - IRC Chat''': Paul and Fred discuss the Ur-Quan Masters project, and voice their support for the fan community who worked on it.{{ref|03}}<br />
<br />
* In June 2006, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"We (I) [written by TFB employee Alex Ness] want us to do a Star Control sequel."'' <br />
* In June 2007, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"Well, we have talked to our parent company Activision about doing a Star Control sequel, quite seriously, and there did honestly seem to be some real live interest on their part."''<br />
* In September 2007, Atari renewed the Star Control trademark, which Reiche and Ford's counterclaim argues was invalid. <br />
* In August 2010, in a topic about an SC sequel, Fred Ford [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4211#p4211 wrote on the Star Control discussion board] "''On a side note, I want to mention that I've started doing some unspecified work away from the office after some early and continuing conversations with Paul. Just saying...and it's way early yet...and it's just me...so, yeah.''" He [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4235#p4235 followed up by saying] ''"It will definitely be in our spare time for a while...this is not a TFB venture. It is a Paul and Fred venture."''<br />
* In 2013, Atari filed for bankruptcy.<br />
* In July 2013, Stardock bought Atari's "Star Control" assets.<br />
<BR><br />
<BR><br />
{{note|02}} [https://sourceforge.net/projects/sc2/files/stats/timeline?dates=2002-08-05+to+2018-04-14 "The Ur Quan Masters - Download Statistics"]. SourceForce. Retrieved April 2018.<br />
{{note|03}} (August 2003) [http://uqm.stack.nl/files/chat/tfbchat-20030822-formatted "Toys for Bob IRC Chat".) Transcript.<br />
<br />
== Timeline of legal dispute ==<br />
<br />
=== Stardock's new game: 2013-2017 ===<br />
<br />
* bankruptcy and sale<br />
* development<br />
<br />
=== Private and public dispute: 2017-present ===<br />
<br />
* public statements<br />
* claims<br />
* settlement offers<br />
<br />
== List of References ==<br />
=== Court Received===<br />
* [https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/23260369/Stardock_Systems,_Inc_v_PAUL_REICHE_III,_et_al PacerMonitor]<br />
* [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ CourtListener]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (1) - December 8, 2017 - COMPLAINT against Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/16/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (16) - February 22, 2018 - ANSWER to Complaint with JURY DEMAND byRobert Frederick Ford, Paul Reiche III.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (17) - February 22, 2018 - COUNTERCLAIM against Stardock Systems, Inc.. Filed byPaul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/27/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (27) - March 15, 2018 - AMENDED COMPLAINT]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/34/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (34) - March 28, 2018 - Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/35/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (35) - March 28, 2018 - Notice of Settlement Conference and Ordering Setting Settlement Conference before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/36/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (36) - March 28, 2018 - ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (37) - March 29, 2018 - Answer to Amended Complaint 27 by Robert Frederick Ford and Paul Reiche III]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/2/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 2 - Exhibit 2]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/3/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 3 - Exhibit 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/4/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 4 - Exhibit 4]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/5/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 5 - Exhibit 5]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385277-Stardock-Legal-Complaint-2635-000-P-2017-12-08-1.html Stardock Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html Fred and Paul Counter-Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford Stardock Amended Legal Complaint]<br />
<br />
=== Fred and Paul Provided ===<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/1/there-were-many-great-battles-and-some-of-them-involved-lawyers Dogar and Kazon - “THERE WERE MANY GREAT BATTLES... AND SOME OF THEM INVOLVED LAWYERS.”]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come Dogar and Kazon - Star Control® I, II and III aren't for sale on GOG.com anymore -- How come?]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/22/stardock-claims-we-are-not-the-creators-of-star-control-sues-us-wtf Dogar and Kazon - Stardock Claims We Are Not the Creators of Star Control. Sues Us. WTF?!]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/27/report-from-planet-surface Dogar and Kazon - .... Report From Surface ....]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/gog_email_chain_-_no_email_addresse GOG/Atari E-mail Conversation]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/18/strange-settlement-on-an-alien-planet Dogar and Kazon - Strange Settlement on an Alien Planet]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer Fred and Paul's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 22, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Stardock's Proposed Schedule D]<br />
<br />
=== Stardock Provided ===<br />
* [https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred Stardock Star Control Forums - Q+A regarding Star Control and Paul and Fred]<br />
<br />
=== Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations ===<br />
* Trademarks - [https://www.uspto.gov/ United States Patent and Trademark Office]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75095591&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Granted): "Star Control" - Originally by Accolade, Inc. Last Owner: Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87807839&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87697919&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Service Mark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Paul Reiche III]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810528&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Melnorme" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810518&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Arilou" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810526&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "VUX" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810516&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Pkunk" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810502&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ilwrath" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810499&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Chenjesu" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810495&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Androsynth" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810492&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Spathi" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87662697&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "SUPER-MELEE" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810486&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Syreen" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810484&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ur-Quan" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810480&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Orz" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87825741&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Yehat" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
* Copyrights - [https://www.copyright.gov/ United States Copyright Office] - [http://cocatalog.loc.gov United States Copyright Public Catalog]<br />
** Star Control II - PA0002071496 - Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III<br />
** Star Control III - PA0000799000 - Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
=== Game Related Materials ===<br />
==== Screenshots ====<br />
<gallery><br />
File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen<br />
</gallery></div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=33743Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2018-04-15T20:09:24Z<p>Oghor: /* Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-2000 */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Basic background ==<br />
<br />
* who, what, why...<br />
<br />
== Copyright ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyrights in Star Control 1, 2, and 3? ===<br />
==== Star Control 1 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1989-90 - Reiche and Ford<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 2 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0002071496<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Artistic content not created by Reiche and Ford could belong to the original artists.<br />
<br />
===== Music =====<br />
When P&F made SC2, they held a contest to make the theme songs. [[Riku Nuottajärvi]] won the contest, and supplied much of the music. We do not currently know the terms of the license P&F used Riku's music under. We can presume that it was not exclusive, because Riku has since released new remixes of that music. However, we do not know if the license permitted additional derivative works - something that would be necessary if GotP is to use new versions of the SC2 music.<br />
<br />
Stardock hired Riku as the music lead for SC:O. It is also not known what license terms he's developing the SC:O music under; if he is a regular employee, Stardock will probably own the copyright to any music he creates. Moreover, he will probably be under a non-compete agreement that would prohibit him working on GotP for some time, even if he were to leave Stardock. If he is an independent contractor, then he could be under different terms.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that the music situation is shaping up to be one of the many thorny issues in this suit. Stardock reacted very negatively to the terms in P&F's proposed settlement that would have precluded their use of its music, and Paul and Fred are known to be reviewing their records for the ownership and licensing of the music in SC2. We will have a better sense for the situation when/if the license terms for the music are revealed through the court discovery process.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, though, section 1.5 of Addendum 3 to the 1988 contract includes music under the the intellectual property "owned by Reiche." How these things fit together remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 3 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1996 Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0000799000<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Elements in Star Control 3 that derived from Star Control 2 could belong to Reiche and Ford.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under copyright? ===<br />
<br />
=== What is a derivative work? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== How does the DMCA takedown process work? ===<br />
<br />
* https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/512<br />
<br />
== Licensing agreement ==<br />
<br />
=== What is a licensing agreement? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... 1988 licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
=== ... acquisition of licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
== Trademarks ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the Trademark in "Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under Trademark? ===<br />
<br />
From the [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office]: "A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services."<br />
<br />
* [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Basics]<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIBcl7dD4w#action=share Basic Facts: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzZL2yfUgI&feature=youtu.be Basic Facts: Should I Register My Mark?] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== What about the recent Trademark applications? ===<br />
<br />
== Unfair competition ==<br />
<br />
=== What are the allegations of unfair competition in each lawsuit? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter if P&F call themselves the "creators of Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter how Stardock described their relationship with P&F leading up to SC:O? ===<br />
<br />
== Timeline of Star Control history ==<br />
<br />
=== Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-2000 ===<br />
<br />
* 1988 agreement<br />
* '''1990, July''': ''Star Control'' is released, created by Paul Reiche and Fred Ford.{{ref|90}}<br />
* '''1992, October''': ''Star Control 2'' is released, and is acclaimed as one of the best games that year.{{ref|92}}<br />
* '''1996, September''': ''Star Control 3'' is released, based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford.{{ref|96}}<br />
* '''1997''': Compared to the first two games created by Toys for Bob, the third game from Legend Entertainment is not well-received by fans and receives weaker sales.{{ref|97}}<br />
* '''1998, September''': Toys for Bob develop new games and franchises, and press and advertisements continue to describe them as "the creators of Star Control". {{ref|98-9}}<br />
* '''1998, October - IRC Chat''': Fans frequently push for a sequel made by Toys for Bob. Paul and Fred tell fans that their campaigns will help make that possible, and that they personally own all rights in Star Control, other than the name and material in SC3.{{ref|98-10}}<br />
* '''2000''': A fourth game is attempted as a 3D combat game, and is ultimately scrapped after a few iterations.{{ref|00}}<br />
<BR><br />
<BR><br />
{{note|90}} [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438453/ "Star Control".] Interned Movie Database.<br />
{{note|92}} Trevena, Stanley (March 1993). [http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104 "Accolade's Star Control II"]. Computer Gaming World. p. 34.<br />
{{note|96}} (September 1996). [http://cd.textfiles.com/cdaction/cdaction16a/SC3DEMO/MANUAL.TXT "Star Control 3: Manual".] Accolade. <br />
:: ''"(c) 1996 Accolade, Inc. All rights reserved. Star Control 3 is based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford."''<br />
{{note|97}} [https://www.giantbomb.com/legend-entertainment-company/3010-332/ "Legend Entertainment Company".] Giant Bomb;<BR> [http://www.star-control.com/sc3/ "Star Control 3".] The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control. <br />
:: ''"During this period, the company also developed Star Control 3, sequel to the much loved Star Control 2 created by Toys for Bob. The game was not well-received by fans and suffered from poor sales."''<br />
{{note|98-9}} (September 1998) [http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/unholy-war/adblurbs "Unholy War - Press Release"]. Eidos Interactive & Crystal Dynamics. <br />
:: ''"From the creators of "Star Control" I & II and the co-designer of Archon..."''<br />
{{note|98-10}} "[http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/IRC_chat_Oct_1998_QA_trim IRC chat Oct 1998]". Transcript from IRC.<br />
{{note|00}} "[http://www.star-control.com/sc4/ Star Control 4.]" The Pages of Now And Forever: All About Star Control;<BR>(April, 2000). Dunkin, Alan. "[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-control-4-renamed/1100-2462887/ Star Control 4 Renamed]". GameSpot.<br />
<br />
=== Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 ===<br />
<br />
* Interviews<br />
* Best of<br />
* GOG<br />
<br />
During the 2000s (if not later), Toys for Bob's website would periodically mention their desire for a new Star Control. Unfortunately archive.org has not preserved its Flash format well. However, some of the updates can be found on the [http://starcontroller.com Star Controller blog.] Employee Alex Ness (who did not work on the original games) seems to have written most of the updates, but since it was on their official site we can assume it represented the Toys for Bob management too.<br />
* In April 2001, Addendum 3 to the original contract expired. According to Reiche and Ford, by this date all rights to SC1/2 reverted back to them except the trademark.<br />
* In June 2006, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"We (I) [written by TFB employee Alex Ness] want us to do a Star Control sequel."'' <br />
* In June 2007, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"Well, we have talked to our parent company Activision about doing a Star Control sequel, quite seriously, and there did honestly seem to be some real live interest on their part."''<br />
* In September 2007, Atari renewed the Star Control trademark, which Reiche and Ford's counterclaim argues was invalid. <br />
* In August 2010, in a topic about an SC sequel, Fred Ford [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4211#p4211 wrote on the Star Control discussion board] "''On a side note, I want to mention that I've started doing some unspecified work away from the office after some early and continuing conversations with Paul. Just saying...and it's way early yet...and it's just me...so, yeah.''" He [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4235#p4235 followed up by saying] ''"It will definitely be in our spare time for a while...this is not a TFB venture. It is a Paul and Fred venture."''<br />
* In 2013, Atari filed for bankruptcy.<br />
* In July 2013, Stardock bought Atari's "Star Control" assets.<br />
<br />
== Timeline of legal dispute ==<br />
<br />
=== Stardock's new game: 2013-2017 ===<br />
<br />
* bankruptcy and sale<br />
* development<br />
<br />
=== Private and public dispute: 2017-present ===<br />
<br />
* public statements<br />
* claims<br />
* settlement offers<br />
<br />
== List of References ==<br />
=== Court Received===<br />
* [https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/23260369/Stardock_Systems,_Inc_v_PAUL_REICHE_III,_et_al PacerMonitor]<br />
* [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ CourtListener]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (1) - December 8, 2017 - COMPLAINT against Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/16/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (16) - February 22, 2018 - ANSWER to Complaint with JURY DEMAND byRobert Frederick Ford, Paul Reiche III.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (17) - February 22, 2018 - COUNTERCLAIM against Stardock Systems, Inc.. Filed byPaul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/27/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (27) - March 15, 2018 - AMENDED COMPLAINT]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/34/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (34) - March 28, 2018 - Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/35/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (35) - March 28, 2018 - Notice of Settlement Conference and Ordering Setting Settlement Conference before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/36/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (36) - March 28, 2018 - ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (37) - March 29, 2018 - Answer to Amended Complaint 27 by Robert Frederick Ford and Paul Reiche III]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/2/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 2 - Exhibit 2]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/3/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 3 - Exhibit 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/4/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 4 - Exhibit 4]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/5/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 5 - Exhibit 5]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385277-Stardock-Legal-Complaint-2635-000-P-2017-12-08-1.html Stardock Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html Fred and Paul Counter-Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford Stardock Amended Legal Complaint]<br />
<br />
=== Fred and Paul Provided ===<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/1/there-were-many-great-battles-and-some-of-them-involved-lawyers Dogar and Kazon - “THERE WERE MANY GREAT BATTLES... AND SOME OF THEM INVOLVED LAWYERS.”]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come Dogar and Kazon - Star Control® I, II and III aren't for sale on GOG.com anymore -- How come?]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/22/stardock-claims-we-are-not-the-creators-of-star-control-sues-us-wtf Dogar and Kazon - Stardock Claims We Are Not the Creators of Star Control. Sues Us. WTF?!]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/27/report-from-planet-surface Dogar and Kazon - .... Report From Surface ....]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/gog_email_chain_-_no_email_addresse GOG/Atari E-mail Conversation]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/18/strange-settlement-on-an-alien-planet Dogar and Kazon - Strange Settlement on an Alien Planet]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer Fred and Paul's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 22, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Stardock's Proposed Schedule D]<br />
<br />
=== Stardock Provided ===<br />
* [https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred Stardock Star Control Forums - Q+A regarding Star Control and Paul and Fred]<br />
<br />
=== Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations ===<br />
* Trademarks - [https://www.uspto.gov/ United States Patent and Trademark Office]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75095591&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Granted): "Star Control" - Originally by Accolade, Inc. Last Owner: Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87807839&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87697919&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Service Mark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Paul Reiche III]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810528&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Melnorme" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810518&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Arilou" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810526&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "VUX" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810516&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Pkunk" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810502&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ilwrath" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810499&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Chenjesu" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810495&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Androsynth" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810492&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Spathi" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87662697&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "SUPER-MELEE" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810486&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Syreen" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810484&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ur-Quan" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810480&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Orz" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87825741&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Yehat" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
* Copyrights - [https://www.copyright.gov/ United States Copyright Office] - [http://cocatalog.loc.gov United States Copyright Public Catalog]<br />
** Star Control II - PA0002071496 - Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III<br />
** Star Control III - PA0000799000 - Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
=== Game Related Materials ===<br />
==== Screenshots ====<br />
<gallery><br />
File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen<br />
</gallery></div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Talk:Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=33742Talk:Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2018-04-15T01:08:30Z<p>Oghor: /* Footnotes / references */ new section</p>
<hr />
<div>== Work together and stay neutral ==<br />
<br />
Hey everyone. I posted some guidelines here to help keep us on track. <br />
<br />
As much as possible, refer to reliable sources, with footnotes and citations. Evidence from the parties should be used carefully, with other statements from the parties used only to understand their public positions. Try to avoid any random fan theories. Obviously, we are fans. But we should focus on what the sources and the parties have said. We might sparingly cap off any section with a short summary and analysis, but ideally refer to a reliable source, and keep it within the range of disagreements provided by the parties themselves. Talk about what the parties have said carefully, and don't start promoting the theories of random fans. <br />
<br />
If there's disagreement, assume good faith and discuss it here. Nobody here is superior, so long as they're editing in good faith and following the guidelines. Work together. Be constructive. Defer to the guidelines. See a criticism as an opportunity to improve this Q+A with better research and writing.<br />
<br />
The community really needs this. There's a lot of misinformation out there and this will help clarify things. [[User:Pat|Pat]] ([[User talk:Pat|talk]]) 20:42, 4 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
== Community Q+A guidelines ==<br />
<br />
=== Editor behavior ===<br />
<br />
* Work together. Collaborate. Be constructive.<br />
* Revert edits with reference to the guidelines. Defer to the guidelines. Change guidelines only with discussion.<br />
* Where there is a dispute, discuss and come to a consensus. Assume good faith.<br />
* Don't assume good faith if an editor repeatedly ignores guidelines. <br />
* Bad faith editors are not welcome.<br />
<br />
=== Verification in reliable sources ===<br />
<br />
* All statements on this page should be verified in reliable sources, using footnote citations.<br />
* The most reliable sources are statutes, neutral legal experts, and news outlets with editorial oversight and fact-checking<br />
* Evidence submitted by the parties (Stardock, Paul Reiche III, and Fred Ford) is assumed to be reliable and accurate, under penalty of law. <br />
* Public statements by the parties are only relevant and reliable for understanding how the dispute has been represented by the parties. <br />
* Clearly distinguish between types of sources, for the sake of the readers. <br />
* Third party forum posts, blogs, and opinion pieces are NOT reliable. In rare exceptions, they might be relevant as evidence of a legal issue. Use and mark them accordingly. <br />
* Statements in the Q+A without reliable sources should be verified to reliable sources, or removed. <br />
<br />
=== Neutrality ===<br />
<br />
* Maintain a neutral point of view. Even if you have strong feelings, the Q+A should not. Let the reliable sources speak.<br />
* Where there is potential bias, discuss the best way to maintain neutrality. Consider replacing with better sources, comparing the sources, adding a note, or removing altogether.<br />
* Clearly note areas of disagreement, to distinguish them from widely agreed facts.<br />
* Evidence and statements published by the parties (Stardock, Paul Reiche III, and Fred Ford) should be marked clearly and used with care.<br />
* Speculation should be careful, clear, and limited. Refer to relevant outcomes described by the parties, with analysis from reliable sources as much as possible.<br />
<br />
=== Readability ===<br />
<br />
* Utilize internet archives to protect sources from being deleted or modified as the legal dispute continues.<br />
* Use quotes and/or images to highlight areas under dispute.<br />
* Don't overuse quotes and/or images where footnotes will do, particularly for issues not under dispute.<br />
* Strive to be concise. Avoid redundancy.<br />
* As this wiki stabilizes, we will move these guidelines to make the Q+A more readable.<br />
<br />
<br />
== What Are You Doing ==<br />
What's going on here? It looks like you intend to document the legal dispute between Fred and Paul vs. Stardock, but with so many buzz phrases you come across somewhat inauthentic and untrustworthy. --[[User:Shiver|Shiver]] ([[User talk:Shiver|talk]]) 00:16, 5 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
:Let me second that question. @Pat - you really have no authority to define community guidelines (we already have some of those) on this wiki, especially when you only just joined the community and when you are not [[User:Svdb|the creator]] of this wiki. Honestly, it almost looks like some kind of astroturfing campaign but I can't yet tell by whom (my gut says Stardock given some similarities with their website and the timing of [https://www.starcontrol.com/article/488324/star-control-april-2018 this], but I'm open to being wrong). I'd rather not have an in-depth discussion about the current legal drama (especially given the astounding coincidence of the arrival of these new editors) - we can wait until the smoke clears and the dust settles. --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] ([[User talk:Fyzixfighter|talk]]) 05:33, 5 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
:: Hey there...it's on a user page, so it isn't part of the general wiki content; the "Community Guidelines" are just Pat's rules for their own userspace. Let's give this some time to develop and see what comes of it. For one thing, I'm getting a bit tired of re-explaining the background of the case to each new person who arrives on Reddit. A non-partisan FAQ would be helpful. --[[User:Elestan|Elestan]] ([[User talk:Elestan|talk]]) 08:41, 5 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
:: Fyzixfighter: Elestan sent a PM my way on the forums regarding this activity in favor of leaving it up. He has a significant presence on various Star Control forums right now and seems fairly credible. I don't think this is my decision to make here. It's up to you or SvdB. --[[User:Shiver|Shiver]] ([[User talk:Shiver|talk]]) 12:14, 5 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
== Re: Reiche and Ford's desire to make a new SC game ==<br />
<br />
@Mormont: Thanks for helping out here. I'm not sure, though, that this topic is a good idea for the main document, although perhaps it might be for a different one. Whether Reiche and Ford wanted to do a new game or not doesn't (to my knowledge) have any legal significance. And while there are people on Reddit making an issue out of it, I think it would be best to keep this document tightly focused on the facts that are relevant to the legal case, not trying to address all the various social media accusations that are flying around - that seems like a swamp it would be better not to wade into. --[[User:Elestan|Elestan]] ([[User talk:Elestan|talk]]) 21:00, 5 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
== Music Copyright ==<br />
<br />
Regarding section 1.5 of Addendum 3 and the music copyright, the complication is that the 1988 agreement, being between Accolade and Paul, can only give Paul things Accolade owned. It couldn't transfer ownership of the music from Riku unless Riku signed a separate agreement to that effect. --[[User:Elestan|Elestan]] ([[User talk:Elestan|talk]]) 21:12, 6 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
: Addendum 3 is not transferring ownership; it's giving Accolade permission to use Reiche's IP. I tried to present this as another point to consider, not as definitive proof ("how these things fit together remains to be seen"). It at least shows that Accolade seemed to think Reiche owned the music. [[User:Mormont|Mormont]] ([[User talk:Mormont|talk]]) 21:20, 6 April 2018 (CEST)<br />
<br />
== Footnotes / references ==<br />
<br />
. For now I'm putting some of the footnotes in the middle of the text. In the long run we should figure out how to create some wiki templates for this. We're gonna need a lot of references. I'm gonna do my best on the timeline stuff and maybe someone more technical can help cleanup. [[User:Oghor|Oghor]] ([[User talk:Oghor|talk]]) 03:08, 15 April 2018 (CEST)</div>Oghorhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Stardock_Systems_Inc._v._Paul_Reiche_III_and_Robert_Frederick_Ford&diff=33741Stardock Systems Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford2018-04-15T01:04:24Z<p>Oghor: /* Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-1999 */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Basic background ==<br />
<br />
* who, what, why...<br />
<br />
== Copyright ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the copyrights in Star Control 1, 2, and 3? ===<br />
==== Star Control 1 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1989-90 - Reiche and Ford<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 2 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0002071496<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Artistic content not created by Reiche and Ford could belong to the original artists.<br />
<br />
===== Music =====<br />
When P&F made SC2, they held a contest to make the theme songs. [[Riku Nuottajärvi]] won the contest, and supplied much of the music. We do not currently know the terms of the license P&F used Riku's music under. We can presume that it was not exclusive, because Riku has since released new remixes of that music. However, we do not know if the license permitted additional derivative works - something that would be necessary if GotP is to use new versions of the SC2 music.<br />
<br />
Stardock hired Riku as the music lead for SC:O. It is also not known what license terms he's developing the SC:O music under; if he is a regular employee, Stardock will probably own the copyright to any music he creates. Moreover, he will probably be under a non-compete agreement that would prohibit him working on GotP for some time, even if he were to leave Stardock. If he is an independent contractor, then he could be under different terms.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that the music situation is shaping up to be one of the many thorny issues in this suit. Stardock reacted very negatively to the terms in P&F's proposed settlement that would have precluded their use of its music, and Paul and Fred are known to be reviewing their records for the ownership and licensing of the music in SC2. We will have a better sense for the situation when/if the license terms for the music are revealed through the court discovery process.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, though, section 1.5 of Addendum 3 to the 1988 contract includes music under the the intellectual property "owned by Reiche." How these things fit together remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
==== Star Control 3 ====<br />
'''Copyrighted:''' 1996 Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
'''Copyright Registration:''' PA0000799000<br />
<br />
'''Disputed Elements:''' Elements in Star Control 3 that derived from Star Control 2 could belong to Reiche and Ford.<br />
<br />
[[File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen]]<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under copyright? ===<br />
<br />
=== What is a derivative work? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== How does the DMCA takedown process work? ===<br />
<br />
* https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/512<br />
<br />
== Licensing agreement ==<br />
<br />
=== What is a licensing agreement? ===<br />
<br />
=== ... 1988 licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
=== ... acquisition of licensing agreement ... ===<br />
<br />
== Trademarks ==<br />
<br />
=== Who owns the Trademark in "Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== What rights are protected under Trademark? ===<br />
<br />
From the [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office]: "A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services."<br />
<br />
* [https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Basics]<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIBcl7dD4w#action=share Basic Facts: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzZL2yfUgI&feature=youtu.be Basic Facts: Should I Register My Mark?] - USPTOVideo on YouTube<br />
<br />
=== ... what's the dispute ... === <br />
<br />
=== What about the recent Trademark applications? ===<br />
<br />
== Unfair competition ==<br />
<br />
=== What are the allegations of unfair competition in each lawsuit? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter if P&F call themselves the "creators of Star Control"? ===<br />
<br />
=== Why does it matter how Stardock described their relationship with P&F leading up to SC:O? ===<br />
<br />
== Timeline of Star Control history ==<br />
<br />
=== Creation and release of Star Control 1-3: 1988-1999 ===<br />
<br />
* 1988 agreement<br />
* '''1990, July''': ''Star Control'' is released, created by Paul Reiche and Fred Ford.{{ref|90}}<br />
* '''1992, October''': ''Star Control 2'' is released, and is acclaimed as one of the best games that year.{{ref|92}}<br />
* '''1996, September''': ''Star Control 3'' is released, based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford.{{ref|96}}<br />
<br />
{{note|90}} [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438453/ "Star Control".] Interned Movie Database.<br />
{{note|92}} Trevena, Stanley (March 1993). [http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104 "Accolade's Star Control II"]. Computer Gaming World. p. 34.<br />
{{note|96}} (September 1996). [http://cd.textfiles.com/cdaction/cdaction16a/SC3DEMO/MANUAL.TXT "Star Control 3: Manual".] Accolade. <br />
:: "(c) 1996 Accolade, Inc. All rights reserved. Star Control 3 is based upon characters created and used under license from Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford."<br />
<br />
=== Disappearance, legacy, and re-emergence: 1999-2013 ===<br />
<br />
* Interviews<br />
* Best of<br />
* GOG<br />
<br />
During the 2000s (if not later), Toys for Bob's website would periodically mention their desire for a new Star Control. Unfortunately archive.org has not preserved its Flash format well. However, some of the updates can be found on the [http://starcontroller.com Star Controller blog.] Employee Alex Ness (who did not work on the original games) seems to have written most of the updates, but since it was on their official site we can assume it represented the Toys for Bob management too.<br />
* In April 2001, Addendum 3 to the original contract expired. According to Reiche and Ford, by this date all rights to SC1/2 reverted back to them except the trademark.<br />
* In June 2006, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"We (I) [written by TFB employee Alex Ness] want us to do a Star Control sequel."'' <br />
* In June 2007, [http://starcontroller.com/?p=90 TFB's website updated with] ''"Well, we have talked to our parent company Activision about doing a Star Control sequel, quite seriously, and there did honestly seem to be some real live interest on their part."''<br />
* In September 2007, Atari renewed the Star Control trademark, which Reiche and Ford's counterclaim argues was invalid. <br />
* In August 2010, in a topic about an SC sequel, Fred Ford [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4211#p4211 wrote on the Star Control discussion board] "''On a side note, I want to mention that I've started doing some unspecified work away from the office after some early and continuing conversations with Paul. Just saying...and it's way early yet...and it's just me...so, yeah.''" He [http://www.star-control.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4235#p4235 followed up by saying] ''"It will definitely be in our spare time for a while...this is not a TFB venture. It is a Paul and Fred venture."''<br />
* In 2013, Atari filed for bankruptcy.<br />
* In July 2013, Stardock bought Atari's "Star Control" assets.<br />
<br />
== Timeline of legal dispute ==<br />
<br />
=== Stardock's new game: 2013-2017 ===<br />
<br />
* bankruptcy and sale<br />
* development<br />
<br />
=== Private and public dispute: 2017-present ===<br />
<br />
* public statements<br />
* claims<br />
* settlement offers<br />
<br />
== List of References ==<br />
=== Court Received===<br />
* [https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/23260369/Stardock_Systems,_Inc_v_PAUL_REICHE_III,_et_al PacerMonitor]<br />
* [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ CourtListener]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (1) - December 8, 2017 - COMPLAINT against Paul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/16/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (16) - February 22, 2018 - ANSWER to Complaint with JURY DEMAND byRobert Frederick Ford, Paul Reiche III.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/17/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (17) - February 22, 2018 - COUNTERCLAIM against Stardock Systems, Inc.. Filed byPaul Reiche III, Robert Frederick Ford.]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/27/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (27) - March 15, 2018 - AMENDED COMPLAINT]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/34/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (34) - March 28, 2018 - Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/35/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (35) - March 28, 2018 - Notice of Settlement Conference and Ordering Setting Settlement Conference before Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C Spero]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/36/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (36) - March 28, 2018 - ORDER REGARDING SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS]<br />
** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ (37) - March 29, 2018 - Answer to Amended Complaint 27 by Robert Frederick Ford and Paul Reiche III]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/1/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/2/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 2 - Exhibit 2]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/3/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 3 - Exhibit 3]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/4/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 4 - Exhibit 4]<br />
*** [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6239751/37/5/stardock-systems-inc-v-paul-reiche-iii/ Attachment 5 - Exhibit 5]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385277-Stardock-Legal-Complaint-2635-000-P-2017-12-08-1.html Stardock Legal Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4385486-2635-000-P-2018-02-22-17-Counterclaim.html Fred and Paul Counter-Complaint]<br />
* [https://www.scribd.com/document/374525505/First-Amended-Complaint-Stardock-v-Paul-Reiche-and-Fred-Ford Stardock Amended Legal Complaint]<br />
<br />
=== Fred and Paul Provided ===<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/1/there-were-many-great-battles-and-some-of-them-involved-lawyers Dogar and Kazon - “THERE WERE MANY GREAT BATTLES... AND SOME OF THEM INVOLVED LAWYERS.”]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2017/12/4/star-control-i-ii-and-iii-arent-for-sale-on-gogcom-any-more-how-come Dogar and Kazon - Star Control® I, II and III aren't for sale on GOG.com anymore -- How come?]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/22/stardock-claims-we-are-not-the-creators-of-star-control-sues-us-wtf Dogar and Kazon - Stardock Claims We Are Not the Creators of Star Control. Sues Us. WTF?!]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/2/27/report-from-planet-surface Dogar and Kazon - .... Report From Surface ....]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/gog_email_chain_-_no_email_addresse GOG/Atari E-mail Conversation]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/18/strange-settlement-on-an-alien-planet Dogar and Kazon - Strange Settlement on an Alien Planet]<br />
* [https://www.dogarandkazon.com/blog/2018/3/24/nope-and-nope Dogar and Kazon - Nope and Nope]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/reiche_stardock_settlement_offer Fred and Paul's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 22, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/settlement_agreement__stardock_vs_r Stardock's Proposed Settlement Agreement, March 12, 2018]<br />
** [https://issuu.com/dogarandkazon/docs/schedule_d_text_from_stardock Stardock's Proposed Schedule D]<br />
<br />
=== Stardock Provided ===<br />
* [https://forums.starcontrol.com/487690/qa-regarding-star-control-and-paul-and-fred Stardock Star Control Forums - Q+A regarding Star Control and Paul and Fred]<br />
<br />
=== Federal Trademark and Copyright Registrations ===<br />
* Trademarks - [https://www.uspto.gov/ United States Patent and Trademark Office]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75095591&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Granted): "Star Control" - Originally by Accolade, Inc. Last Owner: Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87807839&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87697919&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Service Mark (Filed): "Star Control" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87720654&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Stardock Systems, Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87772787&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "The Ur-Quan Masters" - Paul Reiche III]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810528&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Melnorme" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810518&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Arilou" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810526&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "VUX" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810516&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Pkunk" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810502&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ilwrath" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810499&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Chenjesu" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810495&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Androsynth" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810492&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Spathi" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87662697&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "SUPER-MELEE" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810486&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Syreen" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810484&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Ur-Quan" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87810480&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Orz" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
** [http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87825741&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch Trademark (Filed): "Yehat" - Stardock Systems Inc]<br />
* Copyrights - [https://www.copyright.gov/ United States Copyright Office] - [http://cocatalog.loc.gov United States Copyright Public Catalog]<br />
** Star Control II - PA0002071496 - Fred Ford and Paul Reiche III<br />
** Star Control III - PA0000799000 - Accolade, Inc<br />
<br />
=== Game Related Materials ===<br />
==== Screenshots ====<br />
<gallery><br />
File:StarControl1TitleScreen.png|Star Control 1 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl2TitleScreen.png|Star Control 2 Title Screen<br />
File:StarControl3TitleScreen.png|Star Control 3 Title Screen<br />
</gallery></div>Oghor