Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has asked the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to challenge a blockchain naming patent held by Unstoppable Domains (UD).
According to a series of ENS posts published on social media, UD has obtained a patent for open source technology developed by ENS Labs. The company has already filed an official request to challenge the validity of the patent.
ENS accuses UD of “theft”
As stated in the posts, UD’s registered patent was called “Blockchain Domain Resolution.” ENS said that UD patented its technology “directly using our open source innovations.”
“This is not flattery, it is theft,” the – the post reads. “We must fight this to ensure that ENS remains unrestricted for all.”
The posts indicated that their contribution was included in Unstoppable Domains ‘ patent application. The company noted that the USPTO ‘s initial rejection of the patent cited the state of the art, which included work beyond ENS’ contribution.
“ENS thrives on decentralization and public benefits, and these are features that we believe the UD patent may distort or destroy,” the post reads. “Our legal position is based on the belief that basic network functions must remain free for all, and not protected by patents.”
“We gave UD every opportunity to avoid this battle: UD has refused to make the patent open source and to make any irrevocable promises not to use the patent to the detriment of the community,” ENS said.
Similar UD patent applications
The posts pointed out that UD’s pursuit of a patent represents a significant departure from the shared ethos of web3 and the open Internet. They expressed concern that this move toward privatization runs counter to the basic principles of public accessibility and transparency. According to ENS, applications to invent other core technologies have also been filed by UD.
“The community should know that this patent is not unique. Behind the scenes, UD has applied for at least 9 other patents for basic technologies, such as blockchain data access, inter-chain application access and data recognition using domains,” ENS said.
