Bethesda’s legal battle against Fallout: Online developer Interplay has dodged headlines for the past few weeks but the company’s latest move is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Bethesda, who bought the rights to the Fallout IP from Interplay in 2007, are not happy with the existence of Interplay’s MMO. The Fallout 3 developers have changed their lawyers for a second time since the law suit began. Given Bethesda’s recent failure to dismiss a counterclaim made by Interplay on the nature of their deal, this might not come off as too surprising. The latest court filings reveal: “The Clerk will please withdraw effective February 1, 2011, the appearance of Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov, Rachel M. Hofstatter, Michael J. Allan and Steptoe & Johnson LLP as counsel for the Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant, Bethesda Softworks, LLC, in the above-referenced matter, in light of the appearance of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. “PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Dougls W. Baruch (MD Bar No. 12554) is entering his appearance as co-counsel for Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant Bethesda Softworks, LLC.” What will Bethesda’s next move be? When will they just forget about it an let me play Fallout: Online?
