IBM has successfully won its 2022 patent infringement case against Zynga. A Delaware jury determined that Zynga had violated IBM’s web-based communications patents with several popular mobile games, including Farmville and its spin-offs. Other titles involved in the lawsuit include Crosswords With Friends, CSR Racing 2, Empires and Puzzles, and Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells.
Despite Zynga’s denial of the claims, the court has ordered the mobile game developer to pay $44.9 million in damages. Zynga’s spokesperson, Alan Lewis, expressed the company’s dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating that Zynga plans to appeal the decision.
The lawsuit stemmed from IBM’s claim that Zynga’s games violated its patented web-based communication technology. While Farmville may have started as a web-based game, its transition to mobile, along with its sequel titles like Farmville 2: Country Escape and Farmville 3, was central to IBM’s argument.
This case follows several other legal actions where companies like IBM have defended their intellectual property in the ever-growing mobile gaming industry.
Amid this legal battle, Zynga has also made significant business moves. The company recently exited its web3 project, Sugartown, selling the venture to a new entity, D20. The announcement came via social media, where D20 shared that it had “acquired all products and assets under Sugartown from Zynga.”
Despite the outcome of the patent case, Zynga remains a key player in the mobile gaming industry, continuously evolving its portfolio and exploring new markets.