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Scrabble knockoff returns to Facebook

Game returns with new name, other changes to skirt trademark laws

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The application Scrabulous is back on Facebook with a new name and changes designed to avoid copyright and trademark infringement.
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updated 10:41 a.m. ET July 31, 2008

NEW YORK - A popular Scrabble knockoff is back on Facebook. It comes with changes that could help it skirt copyright and trademark laws.

On Tuesday, the creators of Scrabulous voluntarily removed their version of the word game from Facebook, the online hangout. The Indian brothers behind Scrabulous made the decision after the owners of Scrabble's North American rights filed a federal lawsuit.

Now, the game has reappeared with the name Wordscraper. The change could help it avoid any confusion with Scrabble. And the game itself has also changed. Instead of Scrabble-like square tiles, for instance, Wordscraper has circles.

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