Rumors swirl of a long-dead game being revived for Nintendo’s Switch platform, with Microsoft and PlatinumGames’ abandoned Scalebound project leading the guesses.
Could Scalebound actually come to Nintendo’s Switch?
What do intellectual property rights and contract law mean for how such a project might take shape?
And why does an abandoned trademark tell less than half of this particular story?
Discussed in this episode:
“REPORT: SCALEBOUND RESURRECTED AS A NINTENDO SWITCH EXCLUSIVE”
Nintendo Insider, February 18, 2019
(https://www.nintendo-insider.com/report-scalebound-resurrected-as-a-nintendo-switch-exclusive/)
Scalebound Trademark Details
Justia
(https://trademarks.justia.com/864/58/scalebound-86458061.html)
Definition of Abandoned Applications
USPTO
(https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/abandoned-applications#heading-2)
Definition of Notice of Allowance
USPTO
(https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/glossary#sec-n)
Scalebound – Trailer Gameplay E3 2016
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k4FTt-Ri0c)
IP Licensing Terms
Hoeg Law redacted sample software development agreement
PODCAST VERSIONS AVAILABLE AT
Spotify: (https://open.spotify.com/show/3qsDhQ7h6BR2wLyNQYDWB4)
iTunes:
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/virtual-legality/id1448785539?mt=2)
SoundCloud:
(https://soundcloud.com/user-510342404)
Google Play Music:
(https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/In3d7qersx72lvzehxo7gu6cd5u)
“Virtual Legality” is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).
Rules of the Game 