BSA Lawsuit Against Swedish Game Developer MindArk Dropped
Two-Year Investigation Closes as Microsoft, Adobe, Macromedia, and Autodesk Drop All Copyright Infringement Charges Against MMORPG Project Entropia Publisher, MindArk
For Immediate Release
March 28, 2005
(Gottenburg, Sweden) - Project Entropia, the fastest growing virtual world utilizing a real cash economy, today announces the closing of the two-year long Business Software Alliance (BSA) lawsuit against Project Entropia developer MindArk. In May 2002, members of the BSA, including Microsoft, Adobe Systems, Macromedia, and Autodesk, claimed that Swedish game maker, MindArk, had been illegally using software and other computer programs to run its facility. Since then MindArk has shown that all accusations made by theses companies and the BSA were false and that MindArk always had, and continues to operate legally violating no copyright infringements or software licensing rules, says MindArk CEO, Jan Welter.
Despite the controversy surrounding the investigation, MindArk's Project Entropia continued to grow, building a massive virtual community currently reaching 233,000 registered members. The recent announcement of the auction sale of "Treasure Island" in December, 2004, also aided in boosting membership and interest in the popular MMORPG, as thousands flocked online to bid on a valuable parcel of land resulting in the largest virtual real estate MMORPG purchase in history at a sale price of $26,500.
"Even with the continued success of Project Entropia, MindArk will not disregard the fact that it has been hurt by the lawsuit," says Marco Behrmann, MindArk Director of Community Relations. "MindArk is prepared to counter-sue the BSA and other responsible members for damages caused by their actions. We want to get back the monetary loss from the past two years and give back to our loyal Project Entropia members."
Project Entropia is part of the next generation of gaming known as MMORPG (massive multi-player online role playing gaming) which seem to resemble more of a virtual world and society rather than a typical online video game. This new wave of interactive entertainment allows players to interact in a world of three-dimensional virtual environments.
However unlike many other MMORP's, Project Entropia actively supports sales of virtual products with actual cash value within its real economy system. The economy offers the user a secure and safe way to make purchases, sales and exchange real life currency into PED (Project Entropia Dollars) and back again into real money. PED allows members to invest in personal development and growth through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the Entropia universe.
The heart of Project Entropia lies in a distant planet named Calypso, which includes two continents with large expanding cities that offer a variety of entertainment and social interaction for the citizens. Members of Entropia can create their own persona (avatar), via a character generation system, allowing them to choose a suitable life and virtual existence. Characters enter the evolving world full of unexplored and uncultivated lands where they can join a community or even create a civilization of their own. Project Entropia offers a new way for individuals to pursue dreams and fantasies through an adventurous virtual experience.
About Project Entropia
Project Entropia is a registered trademark of MindArk PE AB. MindArk PE AB supports and monitors the services and maintenance of the Project Entropia site. MindArk PE AB began in April of 2003 in Sweden, and has expanded to have partners throughout the world. Project Entropia was launched in 2003 and has reached over 233,000 registered accounts. MindArk offers the Project Entropia software to users free of charge with no monthly costs or associated subscription fees. For more information or to download the free Project Entropia software please visit www.projectentropia.com.
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Contact: Jackie Lacambra
Terpin Communications
(310) 821-6100 x108