 | This article needs to be updated. (October 2023) |
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Type of site | Casual game |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Founded | Kolkata, India (5 July 2006) |
| Headquarters | Kolkata, India |
| Key people | Rajat Agarwalla, Co-founder Jayant Agarwalla, Co-founder |
| Services | Online word game |
| Revenue | $3,000 per year |
| Employees | 2 (January 2008) |
| URL | www |
| Registration | Required |
| Launched | 2005 |
| Current status | Active |
Lexulous (formerly Scrabulous) is an online word game based on the commercial board game Scrabble. It is run by an Indian company of the same name on a dedicated website, and is also available within the social networking site Facebook.[1]
The Scrabulous website was launched in 2005, and the game was added to Facebook as an application in 2007, quickly becoming the most popular game on Facebook. Due to copyright infringement lawsuits, the game was removed from Facebook in 2008,[2] first for North American users and later worldwide, with the Scrabulous website following suit.
A ruling by Delhi High Court allowed Calcutta-based Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla to retain the right to post their word game online, but they were not allowed to use Scrabulous, Scrabble or any other “similar sounding” name.[3] Thus on 27 September 2008, a new website was launched using the new moniker "Lexulous". It has a live version and practice mode, and an option for play by email.
On 20 December 2008, Hasbro withdrew their lawsuit against RJ Softwares.[4] On 1 January 2009, Lexulous was activated on Facebook. As of 23 March 2009, the application had about 585,000 monthly active users. Electronic Arts' version had about 586,000 while RealNetworks' version had 357,000 users.
- ^ Guha, Aniruddha (Jan 4, 2009). "Facebook game 'Scrabulous' returns as 'Lexulous'". DNA. Mumbai: Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ 'Scrabulous' disappears from Facebook after Hasbro suit, CNET, Retrieved December 01, 2013
- ^ "The game is won, the name lost". Calcutta, India: Telegraphindia.com. 2008-09-26. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
Brothers get court nod for online wordplay, but can't call it Scrabulous
- ^ Sivaraman, Aarthi (2008-12-15). "Hasbro withdraws suit against Scrabuluous creator". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2010-02-28.