I know that patents are abused, but this is outrageous. Virtual World News reports that Worlds.com filed a complaint against NCsoft for infringing on its virtual world and MMO patents. These two patents are about scaling virtual spaces and enabling users to interact and chat in 3D environments. They claim that this patent infringement applies in most of NCsoft’s MMOGs including City of Heroes, City of Villains, Dungeon Runners, Exteel, Guild Wars, Lineage, Lineage II, and Tablula Rasa.

Patents, like copyright, should protect . But to wait for a zillion years to sue just seems like a pathetic attempt to get some quick cash. If they win the case, will they move on to every other MMOG? Now, everything “massively multiplayer” including Second Life, PlayStation Home, and World of WarCraft are all vulnerable.

I can’t wait to hear Worlds’ side of the story. Interestingly, they’re located in Brookline- just a few T stops away.