Richard Garriott Eyes Ultima's Copyright Amid EA Trademark Renewal

WHO:

Rock Paper Shotgun - Richard "Lord British" Garriott, creator of Ultima

Kotaku - Richard Garriott, game designer, astronaut, and Texan castle owner

Kotaku - EA, the company that acquired the rights to Ultima

WHAT:

Rock Paper Shotgun - EA filed multiple new trademarks for Ultima.

Kotaku - Garriott intends to reclaim the copyright of Ultima in 2027.

Kotaku - Garriott expressed frustration with EA's management of the Ultima series.

Kotaku - Garriott stated he has attempted to work with EA on a revival of Ultima every decade.

WHERE:

Kotaku - Garriott is expected to appear at Dragon Con in Atlanta.

WHEN:

Rock Paper Shotgun - Garriott plans to reclaim the copyright in 2027.

Kotaku - The last mainline entry in the Ultima series was released in 1999.

WHY:

Rock Paper Shotgun - Garriott has been trying to revive the Ultima series for years but has faced abandoned talks with EA.

Kotaku - Garriott aims to take back control of Ultima without purchasing it outright due to copyright law.

HOW:

Rock Paper Shotgun - Copyright law allows creators to reclaim their work after 35 years.

Kotaku - Garriott plans to utilize an obscure copyright law to reclaim the series.

(UPDATED June 21, 2026 08:24 UTC)

Richard "Lord British" Garriott, the creator of the iconic Ultima series, has announced that he intends to reclaim the copyright of Ultima in 2027, citing frustration with EA's management of the franchise since they acquired the rights. Garriott has been attempting to work with EA on a revival of Ultima every decade but has faced abandoned talks, leading him to seek control of the series through an obscure copyright law that allows creators to reclaim their work after 35 years. He is expected to discuss his plans at Dragon Con in Atlanta, where fans are eager to hear more about the future of Ultima.