Langdell loses his Edge trademarks

By Robert Purchese Published 11 October, 2010

Must write to people he pursued to say so.

"Nuisance litigator" Timothy Langdell has been stripped of his 'edge', 'cutting edge' and 'gamer's edge' trademarks after a legal battle with EA.

Langdell will cover only his legal costs and pay no damages. However, he must write to all the companies he's brought legal action against over the years and tell them he no longer holds those edge trademarks.

And he must do so by Friday, reports GamesIndustry.biz.

Past victims could seek reparations for name-changes, halted development and legal costs incurred.

We've reached out to Edge Games for comment.

EA is nonplussed: "We're pleased that we've reached a settlement and can put this behind us," a spokesperson said in a statement.

"This settlement goes a long way in protecting the rights of independent developers."

David Papazian, CEO of Mobigame - a company whose Edge iPhone game was targeted by Langdell, predicted something like this would happen. Eurogamer was told that Langdell's initial loss to EA, in which a judge denied his injunction, was "just the beginning".

Seven months ago, Timothy Langdell's Edge Games told Eurogamer it was "completely confident" of a victory against EA in the courthouse. EA became involved when Mirror's Edge was targeted by Langdell's firm.

Incidentally, if you've had run-ins with Langdell and can now talk, then we urge you to come forward and do so.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (69) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • djcool3005 #1 2 years ago

    There is some good in this world!

  • AceDongface #2 2 years ago

    A litigious jack-ass loses a lawsuit? In MY America?

  • Shikasama #3 2 years ago

    He was ultimately brought down by ego. If he did the sensible thing and decided fucking with the biggest company in the industry probably wasn't worth it, he might have continued until he died.
    Edited by Shikasama at 11/10/10 @ 14:02

  • Liam64 #4 2 years ago

    EA isn't nonplussed in that statement.

    [/pedantic]

  • GamesConnoisseur #5 2 years ago

    What about companies that settled like EDGE magazine and paid Tim the costs, would they seek reimbursements? Or is the fact that they rolled over and wad quite content to pay up going to discount them?

  • UsernamePending #6 2 years ago

    Someone on Amazon seems to love his game "Racers". I wonder who?

  • Eraysor #7 2 years ago

    Thanks, EA.

  • JJrabbit #8 2 years ago

    What goes around, comes around.

  • sneetch #9 2 years ago

    @Liam64
    EA isn't nonplussed in that statement.

    [/pedantic]

    Perhaps not but if I could I'd +1 them. ;)

  • kangarootoo #10 2 years ago

    "However, he must write to all the companies he's brought legal action against over the years and tell them he no longer holds those edge trademarks."

    In your FACE!

  • X201 #11 2 years ago

    @GamesConnoisseur
    They'll go down the route of "At the time we thought that his trademarks were legal and so came to an agreement, now that we know they are fraudulent..." etc

  • LazyNinjaUk #12 2 years ago

    I cannot write this in a font big enough to express myself, but damn it in gonna try anyway.

    OOOOOOOOOWNED!!!

  • JohnnyFireBlade #13 2 years ago

    I hope a flood of lawsuits bankrupt the moron.

  • kangarootoo #14 2 years ago

    On a related note, I have to wonder what this has done to the reputation of the IGDA? Its not like we needed a court case to show Langdell's actions for what they were, and yet a body whose very purpose for existence is to support independant developers defended his position on their board of directors, despite numerous parties questioning his suitability with reference to his activities.

    I wonder if an IGDA spokesperson might have anything to say on recent events? Surely EG have the ear of a few relevant people.

  • TonyHarrison #15 2 years ago

    This is what happens when you get cocky from taking on a few small fish that can't really afford to go against you, giving you confidence to think you're untouchable so you'll go after a great white shark armed with a toothpick...
    Edited by TonyHarrison at 11/10/10 @ 14:17

  • Retroid #16 2 years ago

    AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Twat.

  • osh #17 2 years ago

    HALLELUJAH

  • jabberscript #18 2 years ago

    Nice one EA! Can we get Mirror's Edge 2 now?

    /pretty please

  • beastmaster #19 2 years ago

    Shouldn't he get a hefty fine and a prison sentence as well, or is that too harsh?

    Well, that's him silenced as well as that other twat who was a crusader against violent games. Forget his fucking name. It's irrelevant.

  • Freek #20 2 years ago

    Screw you Langdel! Screw you verry verry much, you parastic worm!

    And on top of all that he has to write to everybody what a loser he is.

    FANTASTIC!

  • cobaltfram #21 2 years ago

    EA has being doing a rather brilliant job of getting themselves back on people's nice lists -- good on them.

  • ZizouFC #22 2 years ago

    Score one for the little guy!... um EA!...

  • RobTheBuilder #23 2 years ago

    Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!

    *ahem*

    ...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

    Thank you EA for cheering me up.

  • Retroid #24 2 years ago

    I'm hoping for a small explosion in Edge-themed games and in jokes in said games. Just to push the point home.

  • McBradders #25 2 years ago

    Good on you, EA. This was a rather selfless act even with the obvious interest in the Mirror's Edge gubbins.

  • mkreku #26 2 years ago

    But Tim Langdell has fabricated plenty of stuff on his way to gaining those trademarks in the first place! Surely that must be illegal?

    As bad as it sounds, I really want this guy to suffer more. I want him prosecuted!

  • Silvergun-Blue #27 2 years ago

    I've just read up on this guys history

    the fact he can no longer harass people is good, but what about all the chaos he's caused in the past 20 years? It's not just a case of him getting some money and others paying him for no good reason, he's potentially driven people out of business ruining them in the process.

    The guys isn't just a bit of an asshole, he's a nasty cunt.

  • Kami #28 2 years ago

    "Well, that's him silenced as well as that other twat who was a crusader against violent games. Forget his fucking name. It's irrelevant."

    Jack Thompson?

    edited to insert link. Also - ding dong the witch is dead! Langdell has a murky and dark past... but who knows. Maybe he'll start making some games now?

    Who am I kidding...
    Edited by Kami at 11/10/10 @ 14:46

  • Shinetop #29 2 years ago

    Well, that's him silenced as well as that other twat who was a crusader against violent games. Forget his fucking name. It's irrelevant.

    And you're doing such a good job demonstrating to people like "that other twat" that gamers are normal, reasonable people.
    Edited by Shinetop at 11/10/10 @ 14:39

  • djcool3005 #30 2 years ago

    Langdell must be on the EDGE of committing suicide now xD

  • FogHeart #31 2 years ago

    Well! So he only has to pay his own legal costs since he had the patents to argue the case with when the case began. If he didn't, then the court could make him pay EA's legal costs. I want to know if this means that all the people who had to fork out money to him can sue him, or can only sue the USPTO for failing to do their job properly by awarding him the patents - but by defrauding the US government in the guise of the USPTO they can in turn can bring criminal proceedings against him. But then how does anyone actually recover money from Tim?

  • StooMonster #32 2 years ago

    He always was on the edge of reason.

  • Sunyavadin #33 2 years ago

    PWNED.

    Can't wait to see the torrent of lawsuits which ensue from all his victims.

  • McFly55 #34 2 years ago

    Now I hope someone comes out with a game called EDGES EDGE: The EDGE of EDGE EDGE EDGE.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #35 2 years ago

    Well done EA.

    And note, this time it's not sarcasm. I'm glad that gaming has the word edge back.

  • kentmonkey #36 2 years ago

    I wonder what Bobby Kotick has to say about this.

  • sport #37 2 years ago

    Another blow to the small developer!! Bloody EA! We're behind you Tim. Stay Strong!

  • rotmm #38 2 years ago

    In agreement with Liam64, I'm nonplussed as to why Robert Purchase decided to use nonplussed in the context that he did.

  • rotmm #39 2 years ago

    Oh, and nice job EA. Been following this story for a long time and it's great to see someone like Langdell get his comeuppance.

    I am, however, nonplussed as to why Tim thought he had a chance of winning this one.

  • FogHeart #40 2 years ago

    @rotmm: He probably wanted to pay EA a complement :p
    Edited by FogHeart at 11/10/10 @ 15:12

  • Spekingur #41 2 years ago

    Langdell, you can't EDGE away from this one!

  • OnlyMe #42 2 years ago

    Law's Edge: Frantic Fraud Fighters

  • darkmorgado #43 2 years ago

    Shouldn't he get a hefty fine and a prison sentence as well, or is that too harsh?

    The fraud thing will be dealt with separately in a criminal court.

  • irve77 #44 2 years ago

    watch this guy wind up his company and walk away with millions before the poor sods who had to pay up get a penny ... there is no such thing as justice !

  • TitusCrow #45 2 years ago

    With his life's work in flames and the house edge built coming down around his ears, maybe its time Tim made a dramatic statement. I'm thinking something in the way of a crazy rage filled letter then a base jump without a parachute while on fire, off the empire state building.

    Nothing says exclamation mark on a well made point like a epic suicidal jump from the empire state in flames. In this way he will always be remembered as the guy who took a stand against the big corporations - rather than the guy who trolled and milked a trademark loophole for 20 odd years.

    You'r destiny is calling you Tim - god speed!

  • rotmm #46 2 years ago

    @irve77,

    Do you seriously think Landell has millions? He runs his "game business" from a PO Box, his website for Edge Games looks like it was designed by someone with a basic knowledge of PaintShop Pro and he makes ends meet working as a college lecturer in Los Angeles.

    Trademark troll he may be, but he certainly hasn't made millions from either that or his own games company.

  • RobotRocker #47 2 years ago

    But then how does anyone actually recover money from Tim?

    Someone covered it on NeoGAF better than I could but here goes with a bit of a simplification.

    Tim has to let all the people know that he obtained the trademarks fraudulently. After that, they can choose to begin legal proceedings for to recover the fees they paid on the trademark as he claimed them dishonestly (alongside damages, of course).

    Also, this not protect Tim from facing further repercussions or criminal fraud charges on his own and not through his company. He still may be prosecuted for further charges pending investigation.

    tl;dr: He's fucked three ways from Sunday.

  • kangarootoo #48 2 years ago

    @rotmm

    He could just be stingy. You can't always measure someone's wealth by looking at their outward trappings. He could have an archive of "specialist" vintage porn in a vault somewhere, for instance.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #49 2 years ago

    Now we can all use the word 'edge' again without looking over our shoulders.

  • Feanor #50 2 years ago

    Stop using nonplussed to mean unimpressed or unfazed or whatever it's supposed to mean in this article, Eurogamer.

    It means bewildered.
    Edited by Feanor at 11/10/10 @ 16:37

  • icematt12 #51 2 years ago

    The fraud thing will be dealt with separately in a criminal court.

    Can't wait. Hopefully this one will hurt him the most (his wallet).

  • darkmorgado #52 2 years ago

    Can't wait. Hopefully this one will hurt him the most (his wallet).

    Honestly, I'm expecting prison. After all, it's Fraud against the US Government. I don't think they're going to take that lightly...

  • Sunyavadin #53 2 years ago

    *Eagerly awaits the inevitable Hitler video on youtube*

  • Harmonica #54 2 years ago

    Made my day this bit of news.

    I don't know what's more surprising, that it's a victory for the good guys, or that the good guys were EA.

    The times, they are a-changin'.
    Edited by Harmonica at 11/10/10 @ 17:35

  • Hypercube #55 2 years ago

    Stop using nonplussed to mean unimpressed or unfazed or whatever it's supposed to mean in this article, Eurogamer.

    It means bewildered.

    Actually, nonplussed also means unperturbed. Which perfectly fits the use of it in this article.

    Oh, and EDGE EDGE EDGE EDGE EDGE EDGE

  • Feanor #56 2 years ago

    That's a bastardized American usage that's not recognized by many dictionaries and Eurogamer (and any other news reporting website) would do well to steer clear of it.

    [link url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nonplussed?view=uk
    ]http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/defini...[/link]

    "In North American English a new use has developed in recent years, meaning ‘unperturbed’ — more or less the opposite of its traditional meaning — as in he was clearly trying to appear nonplussed . This new use probably arose on the assumption that non- was the normal negative prefix and must therefore have a negative meaning. It is not considered part of standard English."
    Edited by Feanor at 11/10/10 @ 18:42

  • cagool #57 2 years ago

    I would like to point out that I own the rights to the word "nonplussed", so I must demand that all commentators please retract all usage of the word or send me a cheque for £10,000

  • Bonders99 #58 2 years ago

    Phew...the chap from U2 can breath a sigh of relief now.

  • cagool #59 2 years ago

    Needless to say I am currently seeking compensation over the videogame Mirror's Nonplussed, and NONPLUSSED magazine
    Edited by cagool at 11/10/10 @ 18:59

  • Sunyavadin #60 2 years ago

    [link url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68lszjX3Xwg
    ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68lszjX3Xwg
    [/link]

    There we go.

  • lance.carter #61 2 years ago

    I know it was said earlier but well played to EA for spending money and sorting out this idiot. Kudos to EA. It's not often anyone has been able to say that in recent years but clearly EA have turned a new leaf in recent year or so.

  • Silvergun-Blue #62 2 years ago

    I've read a few (joking) comments regarding "The Edge" from U2 and how come he was never sued.

    As I understand it Langdell changed his company to "The Edge" in 1984. U2 were well established by this time so it's my opinion that The Edge had for more right to sue Langdell, than Langdell had to sue random game developers who happened to use a word from the English dictionary in the title of a game. 1984 was a big year for the band with the release of the Unforgettable fire album, and the song "pride: in the name of love" So they could have easily claimed he was stealing from their success.

    I'm rambling but the point I'm trying to make is not everyone tries to sue left right and centre claiming that they are only protecting their rights. It just highlights what a nasty peice of work Langdell is.

  • darkmorgado #63 2 years ago

    I am really tempted to see if I can trademark TIM LANGDELL

  • darkmorgado #64 2 years ago

    As I understand it Langdell changed his company to "The Edge" in 1984. U2 were well established by this time so it's my opinion that The Edge had for more right to sue Langdell, than Langdell had to sue random game developers

    I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Langdell actually tried to sue U2 over The Edge.

  • Gastrian #65 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • DrMGinius #66 2 years ago

    ''However, he must write to all the companies he's brought legal action against over the years and tell them he no longer holds those edge trademarks.''

    And thats a LOT of writing!

  • NegativeZero #67 2 years ago

    What about companies that settled like EDGE magazine and paid Tim the costs, would they seek reimbursements? Or is the fact that they rolled over and wad quite content to pay up going to discount them?

    They should be able to sue him for fraud if they can show that he falsely registered those trademarks and then used his fraudulent trademark registrations to force them to cough up. And given that the trademarks have been thrown out that shouldn't be that hard.

    It will depend on how much they paid to settle with him in the first place. If it wasn't too significant then the legal fees to take him to court would probably be too high to justify it.

  • Sunyavadin #68 2 years ago

    "They should be able to sue him for fraud if they can show that he falsely registered those trademarks and then used his fraudulent trademark registrations to force them to cough up. And given that the trademarks have been thrown out that shouldn't be that hard."

    Yep, the legal precedent of this case should give them the Edge.

  • bloodflowers #69 2 years ago

    Good riddance to bad rubbish.