Most people are excited about the games coming from Ubisoft. People enjoyed Watch Dogs and are amped for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry iterations. Of course, everyone hates that horror which is Uplay – and not even a court case could kill it.
Over in the US of A, the land of the lawsuits, patent infringement claims were leveled against Uplay. Strangely enough, it wasn’t alleging that they were doing something wrong by doing digital rights management (DRM), but rather that the way they were doing it was already patented. That’s right, the suit alleged that Digital Reg of Texas LLC had patented the technology that dealt with:
“regulating” access to, “tracking” access after distribution, “delivering” and “securing” or encrypting content covered by digital rights management (DRM) technology that restricts access to copyrighted material
The case was dismissed during summary judgement for “several reasons”, each dealing with the different patents. One of which, was because Valve was previously named in the suit but licensed the patents for use on Steam. Yes, the court ruled that Ubisoft was “immune from an infringement suit” because it was already covered by Valve’s settlement agreement.
Beyond all the legal mumbo jumbo, basically what it boils down to is that Uplay isn’t going anywhere – Ubisoft has the rights to the DRM software and will continue to track and regulate your access to the games. Now we just have to hope that they only fought the legal battle on principle, and not because they’re hoping to carry on using it.
Unlikely, I know, but we can dream.
Last Updated: July 2, 2014
Aries
July 2, 2014 at 11:37
Uplay is the devil
Labey-Kun
July 2, 2014 at 11:41
Well Ucantplay is not much different to Origin so I guess these Steam copy DRM Apps are here to stay, now if only they worked properly like Steam.
Kromas
July 2, 2014 at 12:56
Origin works properly at this point. I am not saying that it was not a horrible piece of crap 6 months ago but I am saying that they have improved a hell of a lot.
Dutch Matrix
July 2, 2014 at 13:02
That they have. Been jamming Mass Effect on PC without any glitches…
Kromas
July 2, 2014 at 13:07
If you ever require a multiplayer partner for ME3 let me know as I always keep it installed for some action.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 2, 2014 at 13:08
Yes, it’s not bad actually. I just don’t want to use it. At least it lets you log in whenever you want, unlike goddamn uPlaywhenwetellyouthatouycan & it’s constant server maintenance issues.
Kromas
July 2, 2014 at 13:14
I once called their support center cause half my ME2 DLC went missing from Origin and I must say it was quick and easy. I nearly spent 30 mins with the guy on the phone talking about ME after he fixed my issue. Thank the maker I have skype credit.
Also DA will show us if EA really is turning it around game wise but for now their distro service is as good as Steam with just a hell of a lot less games and an uglier interface.
Rince&Shitity
July 2, 2014 at 11:43
Wow man. Just, wow. “Your honour! Ubisoft is evil! But we were evil BEFORE them!”
Kensei Seraph
July 2, 2014 at 11:54
To defeat evil one must often walk the path of darkness.
Hammersteyn
July 2, 2014 at 11:44
In your masterface!
Mossel
July 2, 2014 at 12:45
War is Peace!
Freedom is Slavery!
Ignorance is Strength!
+1 for the epic 1984 reference.
Nikola
July 2, 2014 at 13:13
I really don’t know what’s everyones issue with Uplay I play Ubisoft games all the time and it does not affect me in any way ever!
Greylingad
July 2, 2014 at 13:19
Would that be the “Uplay less” versions of Ubisoft games? Where the version is also free of charge and maybe even from specific sources? I believe those are the only copies where Uplay does in fact not bog your chances of playing it…but for paying customers you see it’s a completely different story…
Nikola
July 2, 2014 at 13:58
Hahahahaha! No no man I don’t role that way…I play my games on PS4 and I don’t have issue with Uplay but then I just realised that this probably just affects PC “master race”.
Greylingad
July 2, 2014 at 14:02
Hehehe, I thought as much, PC master race…PC mastferrace… PC met your fate… I suppose… thanks ubi…
Galbedir
July 2, 2014 at 13:48
Since Origin came out, I have refused to buy any game that I cant purchase on Steam or that uses another damn 3rd party program. So unless Uplay disappears, they wont have my money! I even went as far as cracking my Farcry 3 copy just to get around that damn Uplay!
AceZero911
July 2, 2014 at 14:07
Bought a physical copy of Rocksmith 2014, have to activate it through Steam and you still need UPlay, how’s that for getting screwed over twice.