The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has taken action by petitioning the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to challenge a blockchain naming patent held by Unstoppable Domains (UD). UD obtained a patent for technology that was actually developed by ENS Labs as open-source. ENS has officially petitioned to challenge the validity of the patent, aiming to ensure that the web remains a collaborative space.
In a series of social media posts, ENS accused UD of “theft” for patenting technology that they developed and claimed that their contributions were acknowledged in Unstoppable Domains’ patent application. ENS emphasized that the USPTO’s initial rejection of the patent cited prior art that included work outside of ENS’s contributions. The company believes that UD’s patent threatens the core web functions that should remain free for all, without being fenced by patents.
Despite ENS sending letters to UD to address the issue and give them the opportunity to avoid a legal battle, UD rejected the requests and refused to cooperate. ENS stated that they gave UD every chance to open-source the patent or make irrevocable pledges not to use the patent to the detriment of the community. However, UD declined to take these steps, leading ENS to take further action to challenge the patent.
ENS expressed concern over UD’s pursuit of patents, noting that it goes against the communal ethos of web3 and the open internet. They highlighted that this move towards privatization contradicts the foundational principles of public accessibility and transparency. In addition to the patent in question, ENS revealed that UD has filed for at least 9 other patents, claiming the invention of basic technologies such as accessing data on a blockchain and data resolution using domains.
The ongoing dispute between ENS and Unstoppable Domains underscores the importance of maintaining a collaborative and open-source environment in the blockchain industry. ENS’s efforts to challenge UD’s patent demonstrate their commitment to protecting the principles of decentralization and public benefit that are fundamental to the development of blockchain technology. It remains to be seen how this conflict will be resolved and what implications it may have for the future of blockchain naming technology.
