Noobcrew/Mineverse thread:
https://skyblock.net/threads/skyblock-and-the-minecraft-marketplace-a-legal-battle.145369/
As someone not privy to the legal dispute, it’s difficult to righteously take a side here.
It’s easy to fall for the trap of going all guns blazing and supporting the smaller man – Noobcrew/Mineverse (N). I’d even say that it’s the “kinder” thing to do. Microsoft and others (M) have vastly more resources capable of decimating every legal angle.
There are ramifications for both sides.
1. If N wins and “Skyblock” is trademarked, N has power to claim all media listed under registration of title “Skyblock”. To give several examples per application: “content creation for virtual worlds and three dimensional platforms”, “virtual environments”, “hosting of digial content”. N argues they have no intention of doing so, but this is not evidence of future intent. What is likely to happen in the short term is that all commercialised “Skyblock” maps/games/etc. will have to change their titles. I am unsure of other remedies N seeks to claim.
2. If M wins and “Skyblock” is not trademarked, “Skyblock” remains in public domain. M’s content can be commercialised per status quo. Everyone is free to use “Skyblock” as they see fit. N probably has no other IP claims. N has no moral rights (i.e., crediting) either, although enforceability of moral rights is dubious anyway.
All laws are broken and unfair systems, but IP law is especially unrepresentative of individual (creative) interests. It doesn’t work well. N is likely going to lose, and lose severely.
The worst of it is M is unwilling to settle. There are solutions, and no one is budging. Things do not have to be as bad as they are, but so long as M believes the law to be on their side, they will come out ahead.