ENS Files Lawsuit Against Unstoppable Domains for Blockchain Naming Patent

Ethereum Name Service Challenges Unstoppable Domains Patent

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has taken a significant step by petitioning the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to challenge a blockchain naming patent held by Unstoppable Domains (UD). This move comes after UD obtained a patent for technology that ENS Labs originally developed as open-source.

ENS Allegations Against UD

ENS has accused UD of “theft” for patenting technology that was built upon ENS’s open-source innovations. The registered patent by UD, titled “Resolving Blockchain Domains,” directly leveraged ENS’s contributions without proper acknowledgment.

Protecting Web Collaboration

ENS emphasized the importance of challenging the validity of UD’s patent to ensure that the web remains a collaborative space. They believe that core web functions should stay free for all and not be restricted by patents that could potentially limit public benefit.

UD’s Rejection of Cooperation

Despite attempts to address the issue with UD directly, ENS stated that UD rejected requests to open source the patent or make commitments to not use the patent against the community’s interests. This led ENS to take the legal route to protect their innovations.

Concerns Over Privatization

ENS expressed concerns over UD’s pursuit of patents, seeing it as a departure from the communal ethos of web3 and the open internet. They highlighted that UD’s actions contradict the principles of public accessibility and transparency that are fundamental to the decentralized web.

UD’s Multiple Patent Filings

ENS revealed that UD has filed for at least 9 other patents, covering technologies such as accessing data on a blockchain, cross-chain app access, and data resolution using domains. This further raises concerns within the community about the privatization of essential technologies.