Notch fronts $250k to fix software patents

Markus "Notch" Persson has donated $250,000 to the EFF to bring reform to America’s software patent system.

Persson is an outspoken supporter of digital freedom, and has himself fallen foul of the wave of patent infringement suits sweeping the industry.

Persson’s independent studio Mojang, along with EA and Square Enix, were named as defendants in a software patent suit in June.

"Software patents are just plain evil," Persson said of the case.

Having promised to throw piles of money at the case, Persson has now taken a wider view, and thrown piles of money at the issue, joining with entrepreneur Mark Cuban to make a joint contribution to the EFF totaling $500,000.

Cuban’s donation will enable the EFF to hire patent litigation and reform attorney Daniel Nazer to its staff, while Persson’s $250,000 will go to the fight for software patent reform.

"Temporary fixes aren’t good enough – we need deep and meaningful reform to protect software development and keep it as free and democratic as possible," said Persson.

"New games and other technological tools come from improving on old things and making them better – an iterative process that the current patent environment could shut down entirely. This is a dangerous path we’re on, and I’m glad to help EFF move us in the right direction."