What I found the most interesting in the complaint is the fact that Zenimax consistently provided Oculus with IP under their supposed NDA, while suggesting some form a compensation to Zenimax.
Even though Oculus was not responding (initially) to those requests, Zenimax STILL continued providing code to run on the Rift. It almost looks like Zenimax was trying to get to a point where they could sue Oculus.
The complaint then clearly describes Oculus's proposal (2% equity, subject to dilution, etc) and conveniently glosses over Zenimax's "larger share of equity" counter offer (which Oculus seemingly found far fetched).
And then the turning point; when Zenimax instructed Carmack to stop providing code for the Rift to Oculus, Carmack resigns and joins Oculus (eventually with 5 other "key" VR employees of Zenimax).
I can definitely see how this looks bad for Oculus. They will probably get slapped for the unauthorized IP usage for the DOOM videos, logos per their NDA. But for actual code? Who knows..
The Rift most likely does not run any of Zenimax's code at this point since Carmack must have rewritten it from scratch. But Carmack would obviously remember what and how he wrote the Rift's software; would that count as still infringing upon Zenimax's IP?
I think the complaint purposefully blurs the distinction between "Carmack" and "Zenimax" during Carmack's period of employment.
So it makes their behaviour look a bit contradictory: one part of Zenimax is asking for (or hinting at) compensation, and another part is setting up FTP sites to transfer code, supplying technical advice and more. And this is happening simultaneously.
But really, that second part is just Carmack being friendly with Luckey, who is at this point some kid in his garage with cool VR tech.
Carmack didn't really resign — his employment contract was up in June 2013. I'm guessing he had a lot of free reign at Zenimax and was likely bored. VR gave him something to be passionate about again, and he just had to wait out his contract before he could go all-in.
Even though Oculus was not responding (initially) to those requests, Zenimax STILL continued providing code to run on the Rift. It almost looks like Zenimax was trying to get to a point where they could sue Oculus.
The complaint then clearly describes Oculus's proposal (2% equity, subject to dilution, etc) and conveniently glosses over Zenimax's "larger share of equity" counter offer (which Oculus seemingly found far fetched).
And then the turning point; when Zenimax instructed Carmack to stop providing code for the Rift to Oculus, Carmack resigns and joins Oculus (eventually with 5 other "key" VR employees of Zenimax).
I can definitely see how this looks bad for Oculus. They will probably get slapped for the unauthorized IP usage for the DOOM videos, logos per their NDA. But for actual code? Who knows..
The Rift most likely does not run any of Zenimax's code at this point since Carmack must have rewritten it from scratch. But Carmack would obviously remember what and how he wrote the Rift's software; would that count as still infringing upon Zenimax's IP?