California-based web developer SocialApps has become the latest company to file suit against social-gaming powerhouse Zynga, seeking damages for alleged "copyright infringement, violation of trade secrets, breach of written contract, breach of implied-in-fact contract, and breach of confidence."
The argument is that SocialApps entered into an agreement with Zynga, wherein Zynga would receive access to the source code for SocialApps' Facebook game MyFarm in exchange for some form of compensation. According to the suit, Zynga was given the code, at which point they fled into the night, never to be seen or heard from again. SocialApps claims that MyFarm's source code provided the foundation for Farmville, as well as its many derivatives. They are seeking a permanent injunction, damages, attorney's fees, as well as any of Zynga's profits or gains which can be attributed to Farmville.
While theft from other developers has been implied in previous lawsuits, this is the first out-and-out accusation of theft lodged against the company. In related news, Zynga's legal department has constructed an olympic-sized swimming pool on the Moon, and filled it with real pirate treasure.
Reader Comments (26)
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:35PM Gooblechev said
I'm ready for the day when I last see "zynga".
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:37PM Hunter141072 said
Of course, this kind of things would never happened if the "game" was a complete failure...............
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:40PM PR0F3TA said
in b4 blind Zynga hate... we got it A LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time ago. Now on topic... sounds like the Facebook start up drama.
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:46PM FrodoTBaggins said
@PR0F3TA
Hahaha I had to laugh at your "in b4 blind Zynga hate" comment, then my post is next stating my admittedly blind Zynga hate. Internet forums are nothing if not predictable...
Reply
Hahaha I had to laugh at your "in b4 blind Zynga hate" comment, then my post is next stating my admittedly blind Zynga hate. Internet forums are nothing if not predictable...
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:59PM PR0F3TA said
@FrodoTBaggins
some things are just to obvious that they have become cliche here on 'stiq... Lets see.
any kind of hatred for Activision. How GameStop acts too much like a retail store (even though it is a retail store). Devs are supposed to be treated like Gods, they deserve all our money, like mindless zombies (unless you make a mediocre game, then they can go screw themselves, even if they put as much hard work as everyone else). Jump to an early conclusion on how epic a game will be and let everyone know by telling them you jizzed your pants, need to change them and proclaiming "Take my money"
theres more but thats all i have for now.
Reply
some things are just to obvious that they have become cliche here on 'stiq... Lets see.
any kind of hatred for Activision. How GameStop acts too much like a retail store (even though it is a retail store). Devs are supposed to be treated like Gods, they deserve all our money, like mindless zombies (unless you make a mediocre game, then they can go screw themselves, even if they put as much hard work as everyone else). Jump to an early conclusion on how epic a game will be and let everyone know by telling them you jizzed your pants, need to change them and proclaiming "Take my money"
theres more but thats all i have for now.
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:05PM Faceless Troll said
@PR0F3TA It's not exactly the first time Zynga has been sued over IP shenanigans.
http://www.1up.com/news/zynga-sued-rival-developer-mafia
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/05/you-have-died-from-dysentery-zynga-sued-over-oregon-trail.ars
Reply
http://www.1up.com/news/zynga-sued-rival-developer-mafia
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/05/you-have-died-from-dysentery-zynga-sued-over-oregon-trail.ars
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:14PM FrodoTBaggins said
@PR0F3TA
I know what you mean, the thing is, I didn't even know people had blind Zynga hate before reading your post...I thought I was starting a Zynga hating revolution, silly me.
On a side note:
Battlefield 3 is gonna crush COD
*Jizzes pants*
October can't come fast enough!
Please EA TAKE MY MONEY!!!
My Wallet is gonna be sad come end of this year...(did I get them all)
PC is the only way to play online shooters...(there we go)
Reply
I know what you mean, the thing is, I didn't even know people had blind Zynga hate before reading your post...I thought I was starting a Zynga hating revolution, silly me.
On a side note:
Battlefield 3 is gonna crush COD
*Jizzes pants*
October can't come fast enough!
Please EA TAKE MY MONEY!!!
My Wallet is gonna be sad come end of this year...(did I get them all)
PC is the only way to play online shooters...(there we go)
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 12:34AM ToTheMoon said
@PR0F3TA
Can you blame people for not hating Zynga? Aside from the shallow games they produce, articles like the following one does not help at all:
http://gawker.com/5634379/the-secret-dealer-for-farmville-addicts
Reply
Can you blame people for not hating Zynga? Aside from the shallow games they produce, articles like the following one does not help at all:
http://gawker.com/5634379/the-secret-dealer-for-farmville-addicts
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:42PM FrodoTBaggins said
I don't know why, but since I first heard of Zynga I've inexplicably hated them.
Maybe it's cause they mucsled into a industry I love (Video Games) with something I hate (Farmville) and have already been more successful then companies that have been building up there names for decades. Don't know why it annoys me...
Probably really nice guys, but I hope they go down big time.
Maybe it's cause they mucsled into a industry I love (Video Games) with something I hate (Farmville) and have already been more successful then companies that have been building up there names for decades. Don't know why it annoys me...
Probably really nice guys, but I hope they go down big time.
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:59PM PSN StaticShock said
@FrodoTBaggins
That name brings back great memories of Stroker and Hoop
Reply
That name brings back great memories of Stroker and Hoop
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 2:32PM ThatGuyFromTV said
@FrodoTBaggins noooooooope they arent nice people at all, if this is anything to go by:
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/zynga-employees-speak-out-on-doing-evil/
Reply
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/zynga-employees-speak-out-on-doing-evil/
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:43PM Tre said
-sighs-
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 10:44PM FrodoTBaggins said
Hahaha sorry I had to laugh at the "in b4 blind Zynga hate" comment, then my post is next which admits I have blind Zynga hate. Internet forums are nothing if not predictable...
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:13PM The Only Girl said
Yayy!
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:22PM Helghast102 said
Only read the headline
BRING 'EM DOWN, BRING 'EM ALL DOWN
BRING 'EM DOWN, BRING 'EM ALL DOWN
Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:43PM cuahtemoc said
I like Words With Friends.
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 12:12AM DesmondMiles said
Can they all just sue each other in circle jerk fashion till they have no money ? oh oh and die?
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 12:32AM (Unverified) said
I liked Zynga before it was a money-child-eating-machine!
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 2:33AM TCJJ said
Maybe if they get sued enough, they'll declare bankruptcy and we can finally be rid of crap games like Farmville. Then again, all those idiots who keep wasting money on Zygna's games are helping us. I totally hope they have to pay up.
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 3:00AM Epsilon said
Zynga ate my baby.
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 9:32AM Mabui said
Still not sure how Farmville is a game.
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 12:45PM WeRequireMOARMinerals said
@Mabui Same can be said about MMORPGs. Not that I disagree with you, though.
Reply
Posted: Jul 19th 2011 2:25PM ThatGuyFromTV said
Zynga makes Activision's asshole antics look like child's play. Ten bucks says that SocialApps mysteriously disappears or gets bought out before the lawsuit actually hits court. At least it's a year between CoD releases; I can't even begin to count the number of 'Ville released in the past year.







