- Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has taken legal action against Unstoppable Domains (UD) over a blockchain naming patent.
- ENS accuses UD of patenting an open-source technology developed by ENS Labs, terming it as “theft”.
- ENS has petitioned the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to challenge the validity of the patent.
ENS has taken legal action against UD over a blockchain naming patent, accusing the latter of patenting an open-source technology developed by ENS Labs. ENS has petitioned the USPTO to challenge the patent’s validity.
ENS Challenges UD’s Blockchain Naming Patent
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has petitioned the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to challenge a blockchain naming patent held by Unstoppable Domains (UD). According to a series of posts ENS published on social media, UD obtained a patent for an open-source technology developed by ENS Labs. ENS has officially petitioned to challenge the validity of the patent, terming UD’s action as “theft”.
UD Accused of Leveraging ENS’s Open-Source Innovations
As stated in the posts, UD’s registered patent was named “Resolving Blockchain Domains.” ENS accused UD of patenting its technology, directly leveraging their open-source innovations. ENS expressed its commitment to fight this to ensure that ENS remains unrestricted for all. The company also noted that the USPTO’s initial rejection of the patent cited prior art that included work outside of ENS’s contributions. Despite sending out letters to UD to address the issue, UD rejected the requests and refused to cooperate.
Concerns Over UD’s Other Patent Filings
ENS expressed concern over UD’s pursuit of a patent, stating that it represented a significant departure from the communal ethos of web3 and the open internet. They believe this move toward privatization contradicts the foundational principles of public accessibility and transparency. ENS also revealed that UD has submitted applications to claim the invention of other basic technologies, further raising concerns within the community.
Conclusion
The legal battle between ENS and UD over a blockchain naming patent highlights the tension between open-source innovation and intellectual property rights in the crypto space. As the case unfolds, it could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future, potentially impacting the ethos of collaboration and openness that many in the crypto community hold dear.
