Richard Garriott Prepares to Reclaim Ultima Rights as EA Files New Trademarks
After a 35‑year legal window opens, the legendary creator of Ultima is poised to wrest back the franchise he birthed. Richard Garriott announced that he intends to regain the copyrights to the Ultima series from Electronic Arts (EA), a move made possible by a U.S. copyright provision that allows an original author or their heirs to reclaim a work 35 years after its first publication. EA acquired the rights to Ultima in 1992 when it purchased Origin Systems, so Garriott’s claim could be enforced as early as 2027.
In a June interview with Inside Games, Garriott recounted a decade‑long pattern of stalled negotiations with EA. "Approximately once a decade, I tried to negotiate with EA to revive Ultima. They always showed enough interest to start a discussion, but just as quickly curtailed negotiations," he said. The 35‑year rule has now reached its deadline, prompting him to pursue legal action. The series, which began with Akalabeth: World of Doom in 1979 and concluded with Ultima IX: Ascension in 1999, sold more than two million copies by 1997 and is frequently cited as a foundational influence on the computer role‑playing game genre.
After Origin’s sale, EA released several spin‑offs, including the massively multiplayer online game Ultima Online (1997), Ultima Forever (2006), and Lord of Ultima (2010). Despite these titles, the core franchise has remained largely dormant in EA’s portfolio. Meanwhile, EA has filed new trademark applications for the Ultima brand. According to a filing reported by AllKeyShop and corroborated by a Google News article, EA registered the name under Class 009 (downloadable computer software) and Class 041 (online entertainment services). The renewal suggests that EA still intends to protect its legal rights to the name, even as it has not announced any new Ultima titles.
The trademark filings raise practical questions for Garriott if he succeeds in regaining the copyrights. Copyrights and trademarks are separate intellectual‑property rights, so he would still need to negotiate a new trademark or use a different name for any new project. In the interview, Garriott mentioned a possible title such as "Lord British’s Ultima," which would reference his in‑game persona and potentially sidestep direct trademark conflict.
Industry observers note that the 35‑year rule is rarely invoked for major video‑game franchises. Garriott’s case is the first high‑profile instance involving a well‑known gaming IP. EA’s recent trademark activity comes amid broader speculation about the company’s future. While EA has not confirmed any new Ultima releases, the filing indicates that it continues to monitor the brand’s legal status. The company’s broader strategy has included the acquisition of several studios and the launch of its own digital distribution platform, the EA App.
Garriott’s announcement has drawn attention from other creators. Swen Vincke, the developer behind Divinity and the creator of Baldur’s Gate 3, publicly expressed admiration for the Ultima series in an interview. Vincke’s comments highlight the lasting influence of Ultima on contemporary role‑playing games.
As of now, no formal legal action has been filed, and the next step for Garriott will likely involve filing a claim under the 35‑year provision. EA’s response to the claim remains unknown. The outcome will determine whether the iconic fantasy series can return under its original name or whether a new iteration will emerge under a different title. The situation underscores the complex interplay between copyrights, trademarks, and corporate ownership in the gaming industry. For fans of the original series, the possibility of a revival offers a potential return to the world of Britannia, while industry stakeholders watch to see how the legal process unfolds.
