Atari vs. Jeff Minter

[chronovore]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-18-jeff-minter-beyond-disgusted-with-atari-over-txk-block

Atari alumni and creator of an official Tempest sequel, is being blocked by “Atari” (read: Infogrames, or even “Copyright Troll”) from distributing his own Tempest-like game, TxK. This is despite the fact that there are numerous Tempest clones available which actively claim to be similar, where Minter’s is more of an homage.

Caveat: I am assuming there are no actual software patents involved. I hate those, but recognize that they are, currently, legally defensible. This appears to be a copyright based blockage, though the actual comparisons are made by reviewers of the game, not in the game’s material.

[Stoney Mason]

Yeah this seems stupid.

A.) It's not like this game is going to make millions.
B.) I can't understand why they can't come to some sort of royalty agreement. This isn't new. Minter has been remaking robotron and tempest for decades now. Why do they think their is so much money in this section of the market of all a sudden now to play hardball.

[chronovore]

Infogrames probably has a raft of lawyers looking out for this stuff, and realizes that, as a small studio, Minter will likely just buckle rather than risk a lengthy and expensive lawsuit. Which he appears to be doing.

I kind of wish the EFF would insert themselves here.

[AdmiralViscen]

They are claiming he lifts code, he denies it but doesn't have the money to legally contest it.

He still the idea from someone else anyway sooo

[Bebpo]

I think someone should take this on as a pro bono case.  Atari's got nothing and Minter will win and it's good press and semi-high profile in a niche field.  If I knew anything about copyright law I'm 100% honest that I'd hit Minter up and take the case on for free.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

Atari has a little bit of a point, they're still being terrible, but I can understand their position.

I can't understand why they passed up a no-risk, no-cost opportunity to earn some goodwill and money (probably not much, but still) by sanctioning Minter's current project and rejecting his offer to let him at their catalog of IP.  That was dumb as shit.

[tiesto]

I didn't even know Infogrames Atari was still around... fuck them, Minter is awesome.

[chronovore]

Atari has a little bit of a point, they're still being terrible, but I can understand their position.

I can't understand why they passed up a no-risk, no-cost opportunity to earn some goodwill and money (probably not much, but still) by sanctioning Minter's current project and rejecting his offer to let him at their catalog of IP.  That was dumb as shit.

Yeah, it's baffling. Basically they could have publishe a finished game and had some brand awareness built or at least maintained.

Sadly it probably hurts Minter's case that he pursued approval with Atari

However I do not agree that Atari has solid footing on which to pursue this. Good god, imagine the raft of lawsuits if the origin of "match three" games coming me be ascertained.