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YouTube Streamer Criken sued over his Kickstarter game, I.C.U.
- Thread starter ZackieChan
- Start date
Tye The Czar
Member
No, that's not how patenting and copyright works. The way Digipen works for example with projects, the school owns the name, game made there and all the assets. HOWEVER, students are completely free to make a similar game out of campus using the same mechanics.
Examples:
- Nitronic Rush to Distance
- Narbacular Drop to Portal
- Tag: The Power Of Paint to Portal 2
EDIT: Digipen has had to deal with this ownership issue a LOT, which led them to taking ownership of the works themselves. However, I have seen the school help endorse the successors made by alumni.
Stephen McArthur
Neo Member
USC does not take ownership of its student projects because it wants to encourage its students to turn their ideas into full-fledged companies and pitch them to venture capitalists. The only exception is, in USC's words: "if a game makes at least $500,000, in which case one percent goes back to USC Games to re-fund future cohorts."
Lightningboalt
Neo Member
Well, damn. That's pretty thorough and comprehensive, and it's incredibly damning. Guess I'm done watching any Criken videos now... If any of the evidence is fake or otherwise misrepresented then the case is incredibly easily crushed, to the point that any law firm worth their salt would be unwise to take the case. From what I know of them, McArthur Law Firm has a pretty damn solid track record and I don't think they're the types to work an easily crushed, waste of time case.
It's a shame, I kinda liked Criken. But if this is true (and honestly the evidence seems to indicate that it is), won't be too hard for me to just move on and forget about him, I did enjoy some of his videos but I didn't follow him closely. Pretty stupid to attempt a Zuckerberging while having this kind of a paper trail, not to mention the many other things you could attribute to such an act. As scummy as it is, the stupidity of it all is just baffling to me... how would you think that you could actually get away with this? A kickstarter, getting well-known streamers to showcase it, advertising it on your pretty visible youtube channel... yeah, sure, nobody will notice that, you'll totally get away with scamming the co-creator! If it's all true, was it ego or greed? Maybe both?
Unfortunate part is that even if it's all true, that doesn't necessarily mean Criken will actually face repercussions. I could see a few avenues where this is all true but Criken doesn't lose the case. I'm curious how the fallout of that would play out.
It's a shame, I kinda liked Criken. But if this is true (and honestly the evidence seems to indicate that it is), won't be too hard for me to just move on and forget about him, I did enjoy some of his videos but I didn't follow him closely. Pretty stupid to attempt a Zuckerberging while having this kind of a paper trail, not to mention the many other things you could attribute to such an act. As scummy as it is, the stupidity of it all is just baffling to me... how would you think that you could actually get away with this? A kickstarter, getting well-known streamers to showcase it, advertising it on your pretty visible youtube channel... yeah, sure, nobody will notice that, you'll totally get away with scamming the co-creator! If it's all true, was it ego or greed? Maybe both?
Unfortunate part is that even if it's all true, that doesn't necessarily mean Criken will actually face repercussions. I could see a few avenues where this is all true but Criken doesn't lose the case. I'm curious how the fallout of that would play out.
Heavy_D206
Member
I feel like Kickstarter has way more failures than success stories when it comes to gaming.
SinCityAssassin
Member
I distinctly remember Criken mentioning Zach in several streams he had with other streamers testing out the game, and I'm wondering why this is not showing the transcripts of their communication before Zach decided to make a case.
That said, I'm gonna wait and see about this.
That said, I'm gonna wait and see about this.
Conkerkid11
Member
Wow, disappointed. I was a fan of Criken.
Ginger Hail
Member
Damn, I've been watching Criken's videos for ages. I've even been watching some streamers test the game here since it looked interesting. Pretty scummy thing to do.
Left my comment and going to cancel my pledge. Kickstarter creators can't delete comments, only report them and the Kickstarter admins won't delete comments unless they break rules (ie slander, abuse, etc.), so hope it makes some people think on it.
Dash Kappei
Not actually that important
Evidence seems oretty damning, wish for some awareness before the KS ends and people's canceling pledges but I'm not hopeful it'll have a big impact on the campaign (at least not in such way it won't get funded anymore) considering how fanbases usualy are (blind)
Crash Station
Member
Saw the thread and thought "Dodger's boyfriend?" but it turns out that's Strippin. Always get those two confused for some reason.
Aztechnology
Member
Given the circumstances shouldn't Kickstarter pull the project for now?
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
Keenan posted a response on Kickstarter:
Begs the question what is factually incorrect about the article.
You beat me to it, he replied to my Kickstarter comment. As I said, I want to hear from both sides, but we shall see. The Kickstarter ends in about two days so how this goes does determine for me at least if I'll keep or pull my pledge, I know the game will get by regardless but I think it's important to be transparent.
Lightningboalt
Neo Member
It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. If even a shred of it is true then that reflects exceptionally poorly on Criken. It's certainly still possible that Criken's innocent in all this, but currently he's not looking great (especially considering that Zach's been mentioned on streams, yet he isn't actually credited by Criken anywhere).
Still personally thinking that there's a bit too much smoke for there not to be a fire, there's an awful lot of actual documentation that Criken would have to find a way to somehow explain away. If this is "frivolous and meritless" as Criken claims, it sorta raises the question of why a really reputable and respected legal team would even take the case. McArthur's actually legitimately one of the most well-regarded Intellectual Property firms in the country, just look them up on any lawyer search engine site. Big thing that stands out in nearly every review of them is high ethical standards... if this case has no merit, then that's them uncharacteristically backing an unethical lawsuit.
Still personally thinking that there's a bit too much smoke for there not to be a fire, there's an awful lot of actual documentation that Criken would have to find a way to somehow explain away. If this is "frivolous and meritless" as Criken claims, it sorta raises the question of why a really reputable and respected legal team would even take the case. McArthur's actually legitimately one of the most well-regarded Intellectual Property firms in the country, just look them up on any lawyer search engine site. Big thing that stands out in nearly every review of them is high ethical standards... if this case has no merit, then that's them uncharacteristically backing an unethical lawsuit.
skullmuffins
Banned
I'm pretty sure there's been charts posted around here which show otherwise. Failures are more memorable and newsworthy than "hey this kickstarter game came out and it's fine".
I would love to know how he's going to explain away all the evidence of the slides and documentation, I'm sure the school has all of that as well.
ZackieChan
Member
True.
It certainly seems like a matter where we need more info.
NurseRedHeart
Member
Something so blatant like this has to have a good reason behind it, at least I hope so.
Keenan posted a response on Kickstarter:
Begs the question what is factually incorrect about the article.
This is wild.
It seems like an open and shut case if these emails are legit.