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[Divvy]

Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat creators sue 'Scribblenauts' studio for using their memes

Excerpt:

The owners of two of the internet's best-known cat memes are striking back at Scribblenauts for using them without permission. Charles Schmidt and Christopher Orlando Torres have sued Warner Brothers for copyright and trademark infringement, based on images of Nyan Cat (created by Torres) and Keyboard Cat (created by Schmidt) that appear in the game. After both cats achieved fame years ago, Torres and Schmidt have parlayed them into an ongoing career under the management of "meme agent" Ben Lashes. Since then, they've had to confront the strange tension that comes from trying to own and license something that grew through sharing and appropriation.

The issue in question is a pair of Scribblenauts Easter eggs showing the two cats. In several Scribblenauts games, typing "Keyboard Cat" will call up an image of a cat in a blue shirt with a keyboard, while typing "Nyan Cat" in the 2012 title Scribblenauts Unlimited will bring up the familiar gray cat with a Pop-Tart body. Both memes have registered copyrights, with trademark applications pending, something that Schmidt and Torres argue makes using them in Scribblenauts no different to ripping off a Warner Brothers character for another game. "The 'WB' logo also is a meme," a court filing reads, "even though it is only two letters inside the outline of a shield. Of course, WB employs an army of lawyers who use trademark and copyright law to zealously protect its intellectual property."

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/2/4293484/nyan-cat-keyboard-cat-creators-sue-scribblenauts-over-easter-eggs

 

[Blablurn]

Way to ruin the party : / Come on dude. They recognized your "work". No need to sue them. Maybe he needs some quick money.

 

[DidntKnowJack]

Now that's what I call a pussy move.

 

[ProfessorLobo]

These guys sound like class acts.

 

[Kouichi]

Evilore should sue them for using the GAF symbol.

 

[ChaoticPotion]

Pathetic.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

Sad

 

[maquiladora]

 

[Dorimukyasuto]

Now that's what I call a pussy move.

best thing I've ever read.

 

[Violater]

Now that's what I call a pussy move.

 

[Alo81]

Thirsty as hell

 

[Takao]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=552620

 

[Bobs Big Boy]

Of all the things to copyright. Never thought of anyone trying to protect a meme. Like protecting a cliche.

 

[Broder Salsa]

lol pathetic, but well, who wouldn't want some easy money like that.

 

[Divvy]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=552620

Well crap, I did a search. Guess I missed it.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Gotta get dat #YOLOSWAG420

 

[Terrell]

This will get thrown out SO FAST without proof of equal enforcement.

 

[DigitalOp]

Damn, Cash Grab at the finest.

I wonder is WB will settle, probaly since they did do it without permission

This will get thrown out SO FAST without proof of equal enforcement.

What exactly is equal enforcement?

 

[thetrin]

These guys sound like class cats.

Indeed.

 

[Aselith]

Shouldn't Kellogg or whoever be suing the Nyan Cat guy for trying to license an image of a Poptart?