Zenimax Accuses John Carmack of Stealing VR Tech 148
John Carmack made waves last year when he left id Software, owned by Zenimax, to join Oculus VR in order to help create its virtual reality headset. Now Zenimax has sent documents to Oculus's legal department claiming Carmack "stole" technology from them when he left. They said, "The proprietary technology and know-how Mr. Carmack developed when he was a ZeniMax employee, and used by Oculus, are owned by ZeniMax. Well before the Facebook transaction was announced, Mr. Luckey acknowledged in writing ZeniMax's legal ownership of this intellectual property. It was further agreed that Mr. Luckey would not disclose this technology to third persons without approval." Carmack says, "No work I have ever done has been patented. Zenimax owns the code that I wrote, but they don't own VR." Oculus was also dismissive: "It's unfortunate, but when there's this type of transaction, people come out of the woodwork with ridiculous and absurd claims."
Re:Trade secrets, not patents (Score:5, Informative)
If someone works for Coca Cola and discovers/absconds with the formula, and then sells it to, e.g., Pepsi, then that person violates trade secrets laws by doing so.
Back in 2006, this actually happened [foxnews.com]. Instead of using the formula, Pepsi notified Coca Cola, and Coca Cola then reported it to the FBI. It makes sense that Pepsi would decline the offer, since in blind taste tests most people prefer Pepsi. Coke is successful because of their marketing and brand, not because of the taste of their "secret formula".
Re:Trade secrets, not patents (Score:5, Informative)
It makes sense that Pepsi would decline the offer, since in blind taste tests most people prefer Pepsi.
This is pretty hilarious, seeing that Pepsi had to, at one point, buy Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken before they could force them into contracts that obligated them to buying Pepsi products, since no one wanted to sell Pepsi.