Capcom is being sued over it’s blockbuster, zombie thriller, Dead Rising. The MKR group, who own the rights to George A Romero’s “Dawn of The Dead” allege that it’s too much like the movie. When I played it, there was the mall, but that’s about it as far as likenesses go in my super legal opinion.
Let’s see what the money hungry lawyers want to sue about.
The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in New York states:
“Both works are dark comedies. In both, the recreational activities of the zombies and absurdly grotesque ‘kill scenes’ provide unexpected comedic relief. Both works provided thoughtful social commentary on the ‘mall culture’ zeitgeist, in addition to serving up a sizable portion of sensationalistic violence”
Let’s address the accusations one at a time. The recreational activities of the zombies in the games is to EAT PEOPLE. They weren’t doing anything else. Unless you count slaughtering them by the thousands as you made your way through the mall as “recreation.”
The absurdly grotesque kill scenes. I never knew you could have a copyright on that. If they do, they have a lot of people to sue after this case is over. I’m looking at you Epic. Everyone is going heavy on the gore. I don’t ever recall really laughing during the game, especially when I just killed a boss. I was just happy that it was over.
The poking fun at mall culture. Hmm… the last time I went to the mall, the culture seemed to be soccer moms and 13 year olds. Didn’t see too many of those in the game.
This stuff seems like a reach to me. At least they aren’t suing because there are zombies in the game. I guess the Left 4 Dead guys had better watch their P’s and Q’s, because they could be next.
So sad, because this could stall the recently leaked Dead Rising 2 that’s in development. Damn you MKR!
Is it too much to wish that they get trapped in a mall with a bunch of flesh eating zombies?
Source Reuters
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10 responses so far ↓
1 bsf94 // Feb 26, 2008 at 1:04 pm
You know its dumb they sued but why now? i mean the game came out in 06. And also at the begning theres that long “This has nothing to do with dawn of the dead” so i dont know it just dosent seem to make any sense. Unless its to try and stop them from making Dead rising 2
2 balaamsafe // Feb 26, 2008 at 1:24 pm
well that lawsuit could be related to at least ten games in the last few years. It’s ridiculous
3 SpiralGray // Feb 26, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Lawyers… shoot ‘em all! Well, except for Lono… maybe…
4 Clstirens // Feb 26, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I knew this was coming… But now? In ‘08???
These guys need to lay off the vodka, they’ve been out too long.
5 Frantik // Feb 26, 2008 at 2:35 pm
This is just as ridiculous as The Romantics suing Activision / Red Octane for making their cover of “What I Like About You” in GH80’s sound “too much like the original”.
I distinctly remember that disclaimer in the beginning of the game. Shouldn’t that have put them in the clear?
6 RedRedKrovy // Feb 26, 2008 at 4:45 pm
This is about as stupid as the White Wolf/Sony lawsuit. To anyone who doesn’t know about it White Wolf (A RPG company) is suing Sony because in White Wolf’s RPGs there is a war between the werewolves and vampires. In Underworld the movie there is a war between werewolves and vampires. So I guess they figure they have a case. Retarded idiots!
I guess Romero was the first to come up with the concept but concepts can’t be copyrighted. If they could then the very first movie to use zombies can sue any other zombie flick over using there concept.
7 mpgd1kon // Feb 26, 2008 at 7:10 pm
i think lono should have helped right this bc hes a lawyer
8 Sean P. // Feb 27, 2008 at 12:46 am
There’s a very clear disclaimer on the box that states the game’s distance from Romero and his movies, so it’s not as if Capcom are deceiving anyone, and they must have seen this coming or have had experience with this sort of thing before with the RE series.
It seems weird - Capcom kind of made the zombie genre more popular than ever, and MKR are thanking them by suing them. I doubt this will be successful, but if they are, the only people hurting will be us guys.
9 1Colin1 // Feb 27, 2008 at 4:49 am
Yay lets sue since there’s Zombies in a mall and there is a film that also has Zombies in a mall. :O
That obviously makes it the same, fast sue!!!
Stupid people and there sueing…
Plus the fact the games been out since 06, how slow can you be… maybe if they see Resident Evil 1 for the ps1 they will sue some more since it has zombies…
Although the game did remind me of the film it was only the fact that it was a mall with zombies, nothing else in game has anything in common with the film, well other than the fact there’s a lot of zombie killing.
Unless I just can’t remember where’s the crazy guy that make it all happen, or where’s the military with there high tech mini helicopter’s and tanks…
10 Dalamornight // Feb 27, 2008 at 7:08 am
The whole thing is stupid. I really hope it doesn’t slow down Dead Rising 2 really looking forward to some more Zombie killing.
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