Ethereum Name Service (ENS) has initiated a legal challenge against Unstoppable Domains (UD). It focuses on a contentious blockchain naming patent, marking a significant dispute in the blockchain industry. 

The patent, originally filed by Unstoppable Domains, ostensibly incorporates technology developed by ENS. This has led to accusations of intellectual property misappropriation.

Ethereum Name Service Vs. Unstoppable Domains: Legal Battle

ENS’s legal petition, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), claims that Unstoppable Domains has improperly patented a technology that the company originally developed as open-source. This technology pertains to the resolution of blockchain domain names — a critical function in decentralized web services.

“UD’s patent grab is a stark deviation from our ethos. They’re privatizing what should be public, disrupting the very foundation and ethos of Web3 and the open internet. ENS remains unwavering in our fight for decentralization and the collective good,” a statement from ENS read.

The organization expressed its commitment to ensuring that such technologies remain free and accessible, echoing a foundational principle of the Web3 ethos.

Read more: Ethereum Name Service (ENS): Everything You Need To Know

In its petition, ENS also argues that the patent held by Unstoppable Domains could restrict innovation. It contends that its contribution to the technology was foundational and should not be controlled by a single entity’s patent.

Additionally, ENS has highlighted several other patent applications filed by Unstoppable Domains. Some include basic technologies necessary for blockchain and cross-chain applications. Therefore, these actions deviate from the community-driven approach essential for the development of decentralized technologies.