Richard Garriott is reclaiming the Ultima franchise from Electronic Arts in 2027, ending a long period of uncertainty for the legendary role-playing series. This copyright reversion means the original creator will once again control the intellectual property, potentially unlocking new games or remasters that have been absent for over two decades. Gamers who have waited for a new entry in the series will finally see a path toward official development under the original visionary.
Creator reclaims IP from EA after 35 years, ending long sequel drought
The reversion process relies on Section 203 of the US Copyright Act, which allows creators to reclaim rights 35 years after transferring them to a publisher. Garriott sold the rights to his company Origin in 1992, which set the 35-year clock in motion. He confirmed that he will officially regain control of the franchise in 2027 without any financial payment, having only provided the required one-year notice.
Garriott explained the legal mechanism behind the reversion, noting that US copyright law permits creators to take back rights after 35 years if they were the original holders. He stated, "I sold Origin to Electronic Arts in 1992, and there's a really weird United States copyright law, which says if you're the original holder of a copyright, and you assign it or sell it to a publisher or any other entity, after 35 years you can just take it back." He added, "I get it back officially in 2027."
With the rights secured, Garriott plans to explore remasters or new sequels for the franchise, which has not seen a new entry in 26 years. This move marks the first concrete step toward revitalizing the Ultima brand after a long hiatus. The reversion establishes a clear foundation for future projects without the previous corporate restrictions.
Source: TweakTown
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