News

Author drops Assassin's Creed copyright lawsuit
Posted: 30.05.2012 09:36 by Nick Akerman Comments: 6
American author John L. Beiswenger has dropped his lawsuit against Ubisoft after he claimed the Assassin's Creed series stole ideas from his book, which is titled Link.

Beiswenger believed Ubisoft copied the idea for "a link device and process whereby ancestral memories can be accessed, recalled, relived, and re-experienced by the user".

Gametrailers was also outlined in the lawsuit, who settled with Beiswenger out of court for an undisclosed amount. Beiswenger wanted $5.25 million in damages and a halt on production for Assassin's Creed 3.

Kelley Clements Keller, Beiswenger's legal representative, commented:

"My client's decision to exercise his right to voluntarily dismiss the action, without prejudice, in no way diminishes his stalwart conviction in the merit of his claims against Ubisoft.

"He is unwavering in his belief that many key components of the Assassin's Creed video game franchise infringe on many key components of his novel, Link. We believe Ubisoft has engaged in egregious acts of copyright infringement and, should he choose to seek redress through the courts in the future, we remain confident that a trier of fact would agree."

Since Beiswenger dropped the case without prejudice, he can bring it back to life whenever he wants. Right now, he's using the newly-acquired funds for unrelated business matters.
Source: Eurogamer

Comments

By Jasca_Ducato (SI Core) on May 30, 2012
Jasca_Ducato
Good news; though if the guy is so adamant that Ubisoft infringed on his copyright, there's no way he would've dropped the lawsuit. My theory, Ubisoft threatened to drag this out in court until all he had was legal costs...
By danfreeman (SI Core) on May 30, 2012
danfreeman
He really should have continued this,ubisoft really did copy his idea.You may have a point Jasca,something`s definetly off here.
By Jbeiswenger (I just got here) on May 30, 2012
Jbeiswenger
I filed the Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction in federal court because I believe authors should vigorously defend their rights in their creative works. Otherwise, the laws protecting those rights simply have no purpose. Regrettably, the resources required to defend those rights are unavailable to many individual creators so rampant infringement appears to occur with impunity. For more information regarding the novel LINK, visit www.johnbeiswenger.com.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on May 30, 2012
herodotus
@Jbeiswenger
Well done for at least making the case for authors everywhere. It's a shame it is just too expensive to see this more often. Appreciate your contributing the background to the lawsuit here as well.
By PapVogel (SI Member) on May 30, 2012
PapVogel
I just find it facinating that the lawsuit comes after what? 4 assassins creed releases? Assassins creed was released for PS3 in 2007, why wait 5 years to do a lawsuit? Something just doesn't add up.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on May 31, 2012
nocutius
I cant really say anything about the content of the case, but it's a shame that these things are so expensive so they get basically decided by money, if you have enough to even go to court you go otherwise good luck in the next lifetime.