3D Realms sued for copyright infringement

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 19th February 2008
Comments (11) Stumble
3D Realms is alleged to have stolen the idea of Earth No More from Cinemagraphix Entertainment.

3D Realms is alleged to have stolen the idea of Earth No More from Cinemagraphix Entertainment.

3D Realms, creator of the massively-delayed Duke Nukem Forever, is being sued for copyright infringement over new title Earth No More by Cinemagraphix Entertainment.

Cinemagraphix, which is a word we hate having to spell, is claiming that in 2005 it first came up with the idea for Earth No More - a squad-based shooter for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 - and pitched the idea to numerous publishers and teams, including 3D Realms.

Apparently, 3D Realms elected to pass on the game and sent Cinemagraphix away.

Then, in June 2007, 3D Realms announced a very similar sci-fi shooter called, you guessed it, Earth No More.

Cinemagraphix is now claiming that 3D Realms stole the idea, along with the title and a series of concept art pieces - an allegation which, if true, could prove damning for 3D Realms.

Cinemagraphix is seeking $150,000 in damages, plus legal expenses and a share of the game's profits.

Has anybody ever stolen one of your ideas? What do you think to 3D Realms and the massively hyped Duke Nukem Forever? Let us know in the forums.
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Quote Flibblebot 19th February 2008, 11:54
Well, at least they're asking for a sensible amount of money in damages. $150k is fairly reasonable.

If 3DRealms really did steal the idea, they deserve all they get for being so stupid. Did they really think they could get away with not even bothering to change the name of the game?
Quote Bauul 19th February 2008, 12:13
Because the name is exactly the same, and apparently the game is very similer, I'm almost inclined to believe that 3D Realms didn't do it on purpose, I mean you'd have to be a retarted flea dropping to think you could get away with it. Maybe they genuinly forgot different team had approached them. It could be someone from 3D Realms met with Cinemagraphix (Crtl-C, Ctrl-V), dismissed them, then passed on the idea of the game to a superior (who was unaware of Cinemagraphix), then subsequently left. 3D Realms would have no idea the idea for the game was stolen.
Quote rjkoneill 19th February 2008, 13:01
let me get this straight, they are getting money taken off them and how is this going to aid/speed up production of duke forever?
Quote DXR_13KE 19th February 2008, 15:05
i think this is a plot to make publicity..... i mean... what is the best publicity? look at hot coffee, lots of people learned about hot coffee because of media coverage of the ridiculous thing...
Quote Firehed 19th February 2008, 15:12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flibblebot
Well, at least they're asking for a sensible amount of money in damages. $150k is fairly reasonable.

If 3DRealms really did steal the idea, they deserve all they get for being so stupid. Did they really think they could get away with not even bothering to change the name of the game?

Agreed, but there are usually all sorts of weird release contracts and such you have to sign before pitching ideas to large companies - exactly for this reason.
Quote ssj12 19th February 2008, 17:06
well.. if they are suing over DNF They are a bit out there as DNF has been in development for ages. I seriously doubt they have a case here
Quote CardJoe 19th February 2008, 17:27
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssj12
well.. if they are suing over DNF They are a bit out there as DNF has been in development for ages. I seriously doubt they have a case here

Read the article.
Quote KoenVdd 19th February 2008, 18:31
Maybe someone over at 3DRealms has Cryptomnesia (look it up on wikipedia). I myself have had a few case where I picked something up but not paying any attention to it, and afterwards believing I had thought of it.
In 3DR's case that may become a quiet costly prank of someone's subconscious though.
Quote Anakha 19th February 2008, 23:39
To quote the press release:

In the game, "a growth of deadly red vines and mutating spores have overtaken the world, perverting whatever they encounter."

So, in other news, the Estate of H.G.Wells is also suing for $umpteen-million, as this idea was clearly "Stolen" from his book "The War of the Worlds": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_weed
Quote Major 19th February 2008, 23:54
About stealing ideas.

I thought about the plug + roller on most Lawnmowers years before they came out, could of made a mint. :(
Quote Kipman725 20th February 2008, 20:53
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anakha
To quote the press release:

In the game, "a growth of deadly red vines and mutating spores have overtaken the world, perverting whatever they encounter."

So, in other news, the Estate of H.G.Wells is also suing for $umpteen-million, as this idea was clearly "Stolen" from his book "The War of the Worlds": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_weed

WTF THE estate of of HG WELLS... how many years has he been dead for! :O
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