I do not see how they got the patent for that when 3D worlds have been apart of N64, PS1, PS2, and Dreamcast. All of which some worlds were online. So how could they patent a technology that already existed? Furthermore, what they produce are social websites kinda like a 3D world for fans of Aerosmith or 3D world kinda like Yoville not video game software. Also, this company proves to not have a backbone if in fact they take their patent seriously, wouldn't it been a bigger ripple if you took on the biggest maker of this virtual world system and take on Blizzard? NCsoft sure isn't that small but seriously if they wanted to defend their patent that much they should of chose someone who could at least fight back more or even destroy the company itself by buying it.

Outdated reply, but I wish to clear this up with what I know. They have since claimed they intend to take on Blizzard, and big-time developers of pretty much any game that fits their vague description. NCSoft is a "test" of sorts it would appear. If they tried to take on blizzard first hand, they would probably be annihilated in a much deserved fashion. NCSoft is foriegn and are noted for recent financial issues. They still wont get off lightly. The bigger points are that they are attempting to sue backdating to 1995, when NCSoft wasnt even founded, reducing the chances of previous work on such environments. How they can do this, I dont know. I heard patents could only be enforced from when they were filed, in which case NC are in clear water. Stupidly, there were many works by others already released, yes, but it doesnt stop a patent from being passed, as retarded as it is. At the end of the day, a patent was supposed to do the exact opposite of it's abuse in this case; It was supposed to protect the owners of original ideas from it being stolen. Worlds came up with an idea that was neither original nor was put to its best use by them (MANY other products surpass theirs)...but at the end of the day, its up to the judge...unless someone like Garriott can fire back at them from the shadows to get the patent abolished. At least now the trial isnt being held in east texas...