Garriott Moves to Reclaim Ultima Rights From EA
Richard Garriott has told Electronic Arts he intends to reclaim the Ultima copyrights under a US reversion provision and says talks are ongoing.
Richard Garriott has informed Electronic Arts that he intends to reclaim the copyrights to the Ultima series under a provision of United States copyright law, according to gamesradar.com. The creator could regain the rights to the long-running role-playing series as early as next year.
Electronic Arts acknowledged the legal right and said it would act accordingly. Garriott said he is currently in active discussions with Electronic Arts about whether the two should do anything together regarding Ultima.
The move draws on a US copyright provision that allows creators to reclaim certain transferred rights after a set period. Garriott has described the approach as a 35-year reversion.
Origin and the Ultima series
Garriott sold Origin Systems and the Ultima IP rights to Electronic Arts in 1992. In 1999, EA canceled Origin's in-development projects partly due to the poor reception of Ultima IX: Ascension, and Garriott left the company shortly after. EA shut down Origin Systems in 2004.
Quick answers
What is the 35-year reversion law Garriott is using?
It is a provision of United States copyright law that lets creators reclaim certain copyrights they previously transferred. Garriott is using it to seek the Ultima rights.
When could Richard Garriott regain the Ultima rights?
He could regain the Ultima rights as early as next year, according to gamesradar.com.
What has Electronic Arts said about the Ultima rights?
Electronic Arts acknowledged the legal right and said it would act accordingly. Garriott said the two sides are in active discussions about whether to do anything together regarding Ultima.