Wizards of the Coast Inc. Granted Patent on Trading Card Games.RENTON, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 1997--Wizards of the Coast Inc., developer and publisher of the world's bestselling trading card games, most notably Magic: The Gathering(R), has been granted a patent on the Trading Card Game Method of Play by the U.S. Patent Office. Since its creation in 1993 by Richard Garfield Richard Channing Garfield, Jr. (born 26 June 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a mathematics professor and game designer who created the card games , Netrunner, BattleTech, (originally known as Jyhad), The Great Dalmuti, , the Magic: The Gathering game has established an entirely new genre of games -- trading card games -- that today are played by millions worldwide. The Magic: The Gathering game alone already outsells well-known games such as Monopoly(R) and Trivial Pursuit Trivial Pursuit is a board game where progress is determined by a player's ability to answer general knowledge, and popular culture questions. The game was made in 1979 by Scott Abbott, a sports editor for the Canadian Press, and Chris Haney, of Welland, Ontario, a photo (R). Garfield commented, "Traditionally, it has been difficult for game designers to receive patents on their inventions. Most game patents have been granted on the mechanical devices included with the games. This trading card game patent, one of the few granted on the basis of the method of play, is a victory for game designers everywhere. It recognizes the tremendous research, abstract thinking and creativity of serious game designers, and validates the originality o·rig·i·nal·i·ty n. pl. o·rig·i·nal·i·ties 1. The quality of being original. 2. The capacity to act or think independently. 3. Something original. Noun 1. of their inventions." "We hope," Garfield continued, "that this results in renewed enthusiasm to create original games that will entertain and challenge the minds of people who enjoy playing games." Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes. Originally a basement-run role-playing game publisher, they popularized the collectible card game genre with in has developed a licensing program to permit others to use the patent. Wizards of the Coast(R) President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Adkison Peter D. Adkison[1] is a game developer, one of the founders of game companies Wizards of the Coast and Hidden City Games. Peter Adkison is the current owner of Gen Con. remarked, "Certainly, the ability to be compensated by others who incorporate our patented method of play into their games is important. But at the same time, Wizards of the Coast fundamentally believes in the free flow of ideas and the continued growth of the game business." Adkison continued, "It is significant that an entire industry of trading card game publishers and manufacturers has grown out of the success of the Magic: The Gathering game, and we have no intention of stifling that. Therefore, we are endeavoring to create a fair and reasonable royalty structure." For example, Adkison explained that companies who enter into a license agreement prior to the end of the year will not be charged royalties for sales prior to January 1, 1998. Wizards of the Coast is also offering a royalty discount for every company that comes forward to license its trading card game products prior to January 1, 1998. Details of the license will be available at the Wizards of the Coast website at (www.wizards.com), or by contacting Brian Lewis Brian M. Lewis (born December 5, 1974) is an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Born in Sacramento, California, Brian Lewis played baseball (his father and uncle had played professional baseball) through his ninth grade, but in Wizards' Legal department at 425/204-7322. The patent claims on U.S. Letters Patent An instrument issued by a government that conveys a right or title to a private individual or organization, including conveyances of land and inventions. Although Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the U.S. 5,662,332 can be viewed on the Internet at (patent.womplex.ibm.com/details?patent_number=5662332). This press release contains summary information of the patent, and this summary information should not be relied upon or interpreted in any fashion other than as a brief, general description of the subject matter covered in the patent. For a full understanding of the scope of the patent, a thorough review of the patent text is necessary. Wizards of the Coast is a leading developer and publisher of entertainment products, including the world's bestselling Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Wizards of the Coast subsidiaries include TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) Refers to a program that remains in memory when the user exits it in order that it be immediately available at the press of a hotkey. Inc., creators of the popular Dungeons Dungeons may refer to:
WIZARDS OF THE COAST and Magic: The Gathering are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast Inc. Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of TSR Inc. Legend of the Five Rings is a trademark of Five Rings Publishing Group Inc. TSR Inc. and Five Rings Publishing Group Inc. are subsidiaries of Wizards of the Coast Inc. (c) 1997 Wizards of the Coast Inc. CONTACT: Wizards of the Coast Carol Rogalski, 425/254-2250 |
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