Seems like at a minimum there might be some asset reuse (or recreation) that could violate copyright. And maybe a trade dress issue, creating confusion in the marketplace?
Whether either of these (if actual avenues for redress) are worth the financial effort it'd take to pursue them? Given how much money indie games make, I doubt it.
But, yeah, what a piece of shit move by Terry Brash. At a minimum this should be the sort of thing that's a huge black mark on your reputation. (And it's not just the ethical lapse of copying the game — it's the dumb "whatcha gonna do" shrug when called out.) I wouldn't go anywhere near someone so completely willing to be so publicly unethical. I wouldn't hire them. I wouldn't talk to them about any sort of project I'm working on. I wouldn't provide any sort of technical or business assistance.
Which seems fine with Terry Brash. '"The decision's been made," said Brash. "I accept my fate."'
> Seems like at a minimum there might be some asset reuse (or recreation) that could violate copyright. And maybe a trade dress issue, creating confusion in the marketplace?
My understanding is that you can't copyright game mechanics, and you can't copyright an art style, so most game clones/rip-offs are not a violation.
However, it IS possible for it to be a copyright issue when a game is clearly an exact recreation/duplication of an original, in such a way that when placed side-by-side, they're nearly indistinguishable. There have been Tetris clones that have been successfully sued.
> Whether either of these (if actual avenues for redress) are worth the financial effort it'd take to pursue them? Given how much money indie games make, I doubt it.
Aye, there's the rub. Litigating is going to cost significantly more than anything that could possibly be gained.
8 comments
[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 26.8 ms ] threadFrom my own moral compass, I think it’s 100% not okay.
Whether either of these (if actual avenues for redress) are worth the financial effort it'd take to pursue them? Given how much money indie games make, I doubt it.
But, yeah, what a piece of shit move by Terry Brash. At a minimum this should be the sort of thing that's a huge black mark on your reputation. (And it's not just the ethical lapse of copying the game — it's the dumb "whatcha gonna do" shrug when called out.) I wouldn't go anywhere near someone so completely willing to be so publicly unethical. I wouldn't hire them. I wouldn't talk to them about any sort of project I'm working on. I wouldn't provide any sort of technical or business assistance.
Which seems fine with Terry Brash. '"The decision's been made," said Brash. "I accept my fate."'
My understanding is that you can't copyright game mechanics, and you can't copyright an art style, so most game clones/rip-offs are not a violation.
However, it IS possible for it to be a copyright issue when a game is clearly an exact recreation/duplication of an original, in such a way that when placed side-by-side, they're nearly indistinguishable. There have been Tetris clones that have been successfully sued.
> Whether either of these (if actual avenues for redress) are worth the financial effort it'd take to pursue them? Given how much money indie games make, I doubt it.
Aye, there's the rub. Litigating is going to cost significantly more than anything that could possibly be gained.