Comments on: Hasbro vs Scrabulous

By: taryn

taryn — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:09:32 +0000

This really points up the failure of copyright to protect the public. A copyright still held after seventy years violates the original intent of copyright law. The laws were created to insure that original authors would profit from their work, but that the work would subsequently become public domain.
The duration of copyright was set a maximum of 28 years in the 1790 act. 56 years in the 1909 act. 75 years (or author’s life plus 50 years) in the 1976 act. The 1998 act (pejoratively called the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act”) pushed copyrights out to ridiculous limits 95 years and more.

You can be sure that the law will be changed again long before scrabble or Mickey Mouse make it into the public domain. Just another example of the way Corporate influence stifles creativity and controls our culture.

By: Teri

Teri — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:09:06 +0000

I agree that this is in fact copyright infringement, but still Hasbro is being short-sighted. The guys who developed Scrabulous put in a lot of effort that Hasbro didn’t, so they deserve some compensation. The smart thing for Hasbro to have done would have been to buy them out, and if they refused, THEN sue them for copyright infringement. I’m sure the developers knew they were ripping off the old game – you’d think they’d realize OK, the jig is up, Hasbro has caught on, they’re offering us a payoff, take it and run. DOH! In terms of public relations, that would have been much better for Hasbro. And as for charging people to play Scrabulous – not necessary. The advertising placed near this popular game would bring in lots of revenue for Hasbro. Problem solved. For everybody. With no hard feelings. The only fly in this ointment would be if the developers said to Hasbro, oh, no, we’re not going to let you buy us out. That would be really stupid on their part, because after all, they knew from the beginning that they were ripping off Scrabble!!!

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:29:56 +0000

Yes, Hasbro has screwed themselves over with the way they handled this case. But the bottom line is the makers of Scrabulous clearly infringed on Scrabble’s copyright and trademark! I think it’s only fair for Hasbro to seek damages. For all you who are bashing Hasbro, you know that it you were in their position you would be pretty pissed off too. And yes, it would be a good idea to strike some sort of deal to keep a similar version to Scrabulous online, but an intellectual thief is a thief none-the-less. Period.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:32:43 +0000

I’ve been playing scrabble for 50 years, but can’t play alone. With scrabulous I can. This is a rediculous situation, and I personally don’t see any conflict. Hasbro should adapt to the times, everyone’s online!

By: Fabian

Fabian — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:10:52 +0000

What’s more important? enforcing the protection of IP rights, or make money from thousand of fans that revive an old game? in other words: should the company protect their IP risking their reputation, or should treat this as an opportunity to use the situation as a sucessfull marketing campaign where they have invested zero dollars?
Laws were made with a convenience in mind, and that convenience is now OLD. The “copy” cannot be stopped in the world of “digital” tools. Everybody can make a copy of anything. I dont want to drop IP laws down the toilet but let’s assume that something has to change to get a win-win situation to copyright holders and the public. Maybe the laws, maybe the way companies try to enforce the law, maybe educate the people.

By: Janna

Janna — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:12:53 +0000

You are 100% correct.
I agree completely.
Hasbro has merely managed to shoot itself in the foot, while over half a million people watch and shake their heads in disgust.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:00:45 +0000

Hasbro has every right to sue the makers of Scrabulous. They are making money off copyrighted materials, something only Hasbro should legally be doing. It doesn’t matter if it’s an inconvenience to the Scrabulous-playing public. It’s against the law, and that’s that.

By: macariojames

macariojames — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:47:21 +0000

I truly believe Hasbro should applaude and pay Scrabulous founders for the reasons mentioned above.

Also, the “official” Scrabble that is currently in beta on facebook created by EA is SOOOOO ridiculously slow. I and I’m sure 500,000 other users on Facebook did not install and play the application because of the aesthetics. I do not need or appreciate taking upwards of 9-17 seconds for my letters to be placed on the board and scored after I click “Play.” It’s assinine the way the game is programmed. Just like EA.

I’ve played over 100 games using Scrabulous–I had forgotten all about the game of Scrabble before I was invited via Facebook.

A big “whatever” to Hasbro.

By: cookiepuss

cookiepuss — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:20:57 +0000

I love scrabulous, but I see Hasbro’s side as well. If they simply buy Scrabulous out, they’ll open the door for any and every developer to rip off their games and then just sit back and wait for the pay off. This is no different than those people who bought the urls of large brands (Before they wised up) and then just waited for them to come and pay inflated prices to buy them back. I’m pretty sure that’s no longer even legal.

As much as we all love Facebook and Scrabulous and the mighty, mighty internet, we can’t just forget or ignore copyright laws. What I would LOVE to see happen is for Hasbro to LICENSE Scrabble to Scrabulous for $1. They protect their brand, but don’t come across as evil and greedy. AND Scrabulous then can remain free. Because, as much as I love it, I am NOT paying for it.

that is all.

By: Gerry Teigrob

Gerry Teigrob — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:48:33 +0000

I was not a big fan of Srabble until Scrabulous came out. Shame on Hasbro for sticking their hands where they don’t belong! Find some other lame excuse for making money than your own BIG name! When we have children, Hasbro will be the last company we will buy! You lost out – I will be signing on the Facebook support.