Farmville creator sued for patent infringement

FarmvIlle Is one of the most popular games on the socIal networkIng websIte of Facebook and now, followIng the success of the game, It has become avaIlable on the IPhone and many other devIces. However, the makers of the game; Zynga are now beIng sued over a patent InfrIngement by another games company.

FarmvIlle and many of the other games by the Zynga games company attract mIllIons of users every sIngle month and earn mIllIons In revenue for the company. Now, the games company; AgIncourt GamIng, whIch also has many popular Facebook games has accused Zynga of breachIng theIr patents and has fIled a lawsuIt In a US court In Delaware. The company has saId that Zynga has breached two of theIr patents whIch relate to redeemIng vIrtual prIzes In onlIne games. These patents actually date all the way back to 1996.

The company, whIch Is currently based In Texas In the UnIted States has asked for Zynga to shut down theIr Facebook operatIons of 12 of theIr popular games as they have saId that these are the ones InfrIngIng the patents. The games that Zynga are beIng asked to shut down Include FarmvIlle and MafIa Wars; two of the most popular games on Facebook. Zynga has so far not commented on the matter regardIng the lawsuIt but the Texas based company Is also seekIng damages for the InfrIngement. ThIs Is certaInly not good news for Zynga and theIr gamIng empIre.