Take-Two Going After Another GTA Modder [Update]
Image: Rockstar Games
Another day, one other DMCA takedown discover despatched to a Grand Theft Auto modder. This time, it’s digital actuality modder Luke Ross who says that Take-Two has issued him a DMCA declare over his VR mods regardless that he argues that his work comprises no copyrighted code or materials. It’s simply the newest in an extended line of modders being legally attacked by Take-Two over varied GTA mods.
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Earlier at present, Ross shared on his Patreon web page and Twitter that he had simply acquired a discover from Patreon informing him that Take-Two had filed a copyright declare in opposition to his web page and its content material. Ross creates digital actuality conversion mods for well-liked video games similar to Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption II, and Mafia II: Definitive Edition. All of those video games are revealed by corporations that Take-Two Interactive owns. Rockstar creates GTA and 2K publishes Mafia. Ross says he’s been making VR conversion mods since 2017 and that is the primary time an organization has despatched him a authorized discover of any type.
According to the discover, which Ross shared with Kotaku, he’s being requested to take away all copyrighted content material from his web page, however nonetheless hasn’t been advised which particular content material is inflicting him this authorized hassle. In the message from Patreon, Ross is advised that even when he fights the DMCA takedown discover, which he’s allowed to do, he’ll nonetheless be compelled to take away all copyrighted content material from his web page. If Ross fails to take action it may result in his Patreon web page and account being suspended.
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Kotaku has reached out to Patreon, Rockstar Games, and Take-Two concerning the state of affairs.
“I never misrepresent the games as my creations, don’t reuse any of the original software, assets, or IP in general, and my mods always need the original games to work,” Ross advised Kotaku. “So it’s only additional sales for the developer/publisher, and the possibility for the gamers to enjoy a kind of experience they could not have otherwise on a flatscreen.”
GTA 5 VR * Steering wheel * Oculus Rift S * Virtual Reality * GTA VR
Ross is annoyed and confused that Take-Two is coming after him, explaining that he will get numerous messages from followers of his mods who say that his VR conversions have satisfied them to purchase different video games from Take-Two to allow them to play these in digital actuality as effectively.
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Making issues extra irritating is that Take-Two has but to answer Ross or clarify what content material must be eliminated. Ross “wishes” he may discover out particularly what Take-Two needs eliminated, as a result of if he doesn’t discover out, it’s doubtless he’ll be compelled to take away all of his Mafia, GTA, and Red Dead VR mods from his Patreon web page. He will even need to take away all tutorials and different info associated to his mods and Take-Two’s video games.
“Luckily I have other mods for other games,” mentioned Ross, “So my supporters won’t be left stranded, but it would be such a shame since every day new RDR2 fans come to my Patreon to experience the game “from the inside”.
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Sadly for modders and followers of mods, this isn’t the primary time Take-Two has despatched attorneys and authorized warnings to followers. For over a 12 months now, Take-Two has been on a authorized rampage, sending DMCA notices to many alternative GTA modders and fan tasks.
The state of affairs has had a chilling impact on the group, with no less than one main mod shut down by the creators out of worry of operating into authorized sizzling water with Take-Two Interactive. While some have tried to struggle Take-Two and its attorneys, many of those modders are small, unbiased devs or followers who don’t have the authorized data or sources to struggle in opposition to an enormous company like Take-Two, main some modders to swear off the corporate’s video games.
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Meanwhile, corporations like Bethesda are hiring modders, creating instruments for his or her group, or offering them with methods to share their creations with console gamers. There is a greater strategy to deal with a devoted participant base that creates new content material on your video games, Take-Two.
Update 07/06/2022 7:14 p.m. ET: Patreon confirmed to Kotaku that it had acquired a DMCA takedown from Take-Two directed at LukeRoss and was at the moment within the means of “handling that request.”
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“Patreon has provided relevant information to the creator,” a Patreon rep advised Kotaku. “We’ve requested additional clarifying information from the claimant that we’ll pass along, and we’ve offered to connect parties directly. We’ll continue to try to facilitate this conversation.”