The Mac Observer

Tetris-Like Game Quinn Removed After Legal Threats

July 10th, 2006 at 3:00 PM - Games by Brad Cook

The Tetris-like game Quinn has been removed from the Web site hosting it after The Tetris Company, which owns the rights to the original puzzle game, served a cease-and-desist notice to co-creators Chris Wells and Simon Haertel.

On the Web site, Mr. Wells wrote: "While both Simon and I feel that Quinn does not violate any trademark or copyright law international or otherwise, we have decided to cease distribution while we explore our position and where we can go from here. This is not the first time The Tetris Company has attacked the little guy and it probably wonit be the last. In order to defend Quinn, a lot of time and money would have to be spent and The Tetris Company knows when they send these letters out that the people they are attacking probably cannot afford these expenses."

According to Mr. Wells and sources he linked to, there are no legal precedents for The Tetris Companyis allegations because it has never gone to court against the creator of a Tetris-like game. The company is claiming copyright infringement, but ideas and concepts canit be protected by copyright under U.S. law. Tetrisi gameplay can be patented, but The Tetris Company does not claim to hold a patent. It claims to have a copyright on the "look and feel" of the game.

Thanks to Inside Mac Games for the heads-up.


The game also includes an online player-versus-player component

Login. Need an account? Register here.



Auto-login on future visits

Show my name in the online users list

Forgot your password?


Commenting is not available in this section entry.
 

Recent Headlines - Updated February 9th

Tue, 2:27 PM
Deal Brothers - Refurbished 13” MacBook 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo:  $749
1:31 PM
Jeff Gamet's Blog - Macworld Expo: It’s Our Show, Not Apple’s
10:38 AM
Quick Look Review - Texas Tea for the iPhone and iPod touch
10:25 AM
News - Apple Rolls Out Aperture 3 Video Tutorials
10:00 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Backing Up Your iPhoto Library
9:35 AM
Product News - Notebook, iThoughts Add TextExpander touch Support
9:00 AM
Hidden Dimensions - The Killer Surprises Waiting for Steve Ballmer
8:50 AM
Product News - Aperture 3 Adds Faces Support, More [Updated]
8:30 AM
TMO Quick Tip - Fixing iPhone and MobileMe Sync Headaches
8:12 AM
News - Apple Store Offline, Rumors Point to New Laptops
8:00 AM
TMO Appearances - TMO’s Bryan Chaffin and the Atomic Love Bombs Perform During Macworld Expo
Mon, 5:37 PM
News - Juniper Readies Software to Improve Cell Carrier Networks
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $196.25. Change: +2.13.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

TMO Express

Join the TMO Express Daily Newsletter to get the latest Mac headlines in your e-mail every weekday. Find out more!

Top Deals From DealBrothers.com

Recent Features

Support The Mac Observer

We noticed you may be running AdBlock on your computer. It takes real money to run this site and to deliver the news, tips, and opinions you love to read.

If you wish to block the ads that pay for the creation of our content, we ask that you instead support TMO Directly, either with a $5 monthly recurring contribution, or a one-time donation of any amount of your choice. Thanks!

Subscribe with Paypal Donate with Paypal