OK. Kevin Siembieda is suing the makers of the computer game "Rift: Planes of Telara" for trademark infringement. He has not sued the makers of "RIFT" nor the makers of "Motorstorm: Pacific Rift". I predict crushing defeat for Kevin. Also, he is currently complaining that his enemies have a lot more money and evil lawyer power, so I'm guessing he is beginning to realize how totally not going to win he is.Kevin Siembieda wrote:Palladium Books® Weekly Update – June 11 2010
By Kevin Siembieda
A lot has been going on these past several weeks.
By now, many of you may have heard Palladium Books® has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against a company named Trion Worlds over their MMORPG recently renamed Rift: Planes of Telara.
For me the issues are simple and self-evident.
See for yourself – riftgame.com
My apologies, but for a variety of reasons and legal concerns I cannot discuss anything about the lawsuit. I can tell you that for the last six weeks we’ve been consumed by it.
That’s why there have been few Murmurs from the Megaverse®, little news in our weekly updates, and no new product.
Despite what some people would like to believe, lawsuits are never fun or taken lightly, at least not by me.
Over the last several weeks I’ve been quiet on the subject, but even though the suit is still going on, and may continue for some time, I feel I need to tell you, Palladium’s fans, friends and supporters, what I’m feeling.
Adversity can either break you or make you a stronger, better person. I’d like to think the events of the past eight or nine years have made me a better and wiser person. Stronger too. The Crisis of Treachery is such a hallmark event. The day I went public about the embezzlement and how Palladium needed its fans to help keep the company alive, something changed for ALL OF US. We transcended the corporation/customer relationship. Fans rushed to help Palladium survive the Crisis and poured their hearts out to express their love for the company, our products, me and the other Palladium creators and staff. It was beautiful and miraculous. It helped us survive. It created an unspoken covenant that made the already strong Palladium community a family. A family based on trust, openness, communication and fun.
I’m not going to stop talking to my family. I can’t do business like that. The Crisis of Treachery (and other things both private and public) changed me forever. And I think that change is for the better.
Maybe some people think that’s a sign of weakness, naivete, misplaced sentimentality or even stupidity. I think they’re wrong. It doesn’t really matter, because this is the way I’ve chosen to conduct my business. I can’t operate on a dog eat dog basis. I can’t live in fear that my sincere, heartfelt words will be used against me. Maybe that’s foolish, but you are my friends and my extended family. You have been for a long time now.
So here’s the situation
Palladium is plugging away with this lawsuit. It’s no secret Palladium has suffered its share of challenges and adversity these past several years. Those difficulties may work against Palladium in waging a full defense of the Rifts® trademark because it appears the opposition can outspend us. This has nothing to do with the merits of the lawsuit, and everything to do with size and money.
Palladium is fighting the good fight. We’re doing all we can. And we aren’t giving up. Not by a longshot. However, if we are unable to match the spending of the opposition, the outcome may not bode well for Palladium or Rifts®. I fear the infringement and confusion could have a negative impact on the many opportunities that seem to finally be coming our way for Rifts®. How ironic.
None of us knows how any of this will all shake out in the end. Despite the fact that Palladium has suffered more than its fair share of adversity, we’ve faced every challenge, and have walked away with hard fought triumph after triumph. This is one more challenge we must face.
These days, it seems, we all face adversity. Most everyone is struggling to keep their homes, their jobs, and their families fed, or businesses going. These are difficult and uncertain times for most people, and I wish each and every one of you the best. Hang tight. You too need to fight the good fight. Hold your loved ones close and show them how much you love them. Find comfort and joy in those you care about and who love you back. Keep those imaginations burning bright and please turn to Palladium’s games to find some moments of laughter and fun.
I want you to know that whatever is going to happen with the Rifts® trademark lawsuit, is going to happen. We’ll give it our all and make the best of the end result – whatever it may be. Knowing you are there wishing us well helps give us the strength to keep pressing forward.
-Username17