Sony, Jaffe wins God of War copyright infringement case
About a year and a half ago, in September of 2008, news broke out that Sony and God of War game designer, David Jaffe, had been sued for copyright infringement. In what can only be called timely justice, the suit has now been dismsissed by the judge.
About a year and a half ago, in September of 2008, news broke out that Sony and God of War game designer, David Jaffe, had been sued for copyright infringement. In what can only be called timely justice, the suit has now been dismsissed by the judge.
To refresh your memories, the lawsuit was filed by Jonathan Bissoon-Dath and Jennifer Dath, claiming that they both submitted a couple of treatments and screenplays to the devs. In their supposed works, the Spartans attack Athens and also feature the intervention of the Greek gods in an attempt to restore peace. The beginnings of the Olympic Games is also said to have been touched in their story.
The lawsuit fell in the laps of Judge Marilyn Patel, who diligently examined the both screenplays to compare and see if there was indeed copyright infringement. While it probably would have been so much more fun if she actually played the game, the good judge instead reviewed the plot notes and relied on expert analysis.
At the end of it all, the judge rendered a 27-page decision, with the pertinent portion of the conclusion stating thus: “No one can own the basic idea for a story. General plot ideas are not protected by copyright law; they remain forever the common property of artistic mankind.”
And so Kratos scores another win.
Via [Hollywood Reporter]
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