"Year end Games Workshop copyright assault" Topic

Games Workshop is doing a year end copyright strike binge assault.

I know several indie producers who make supporting kit for all sorts of games, including non-Games Workshop producers like the folks that make Trenchworks, doing "greeble" kits and accessories like decals. banners and shield art that can be used for fantasy games including Lord of the Rings, generic scifi decals for things like spacecraft details (panels, nose art, etc).

They have been getting copyright strike attacks from Games Workshop who have been filing claims against products on various etailers and storefronts like Etsy, Shopify and others.

Anyone else experiencing this?

I am not in the Games Workshop cult. Excuse me, "Hobby".
But. They have the right to protect IP.

I also supported Taylor Swift in her quest to reclaim her music, but I don't really like her music.
Ditto John Fogerty. I do like his music.

Hint to the Indie Producers.
Don't try to join the GW circus. They want only their own approved monkeys.

Make Sherman tanks instead.

YouTube link

But. They have the right to protect IP.

Well, this is a VERY broad brush my friend! I know a guy who produces his own scifi spacecraft miniatures and related decals, and GW alleges IP infringement. Another guy produces generic fantasy decals and was told he's violated Blood Bowl of all things!

Don't try to join the GW circus. They want only their own approved monkeys.

The folks I know of are not focused on GW-adjacent games, but GW has told them "All your base are belong to us!" anyway. A guy has banners and decals for historical 28mm figures (Vikings, Goths, etc) mostly bought by historical gamers. That looks like LORD OF THE RINGS, that's OUR PRECIOUS says GW. Really? A Viking Raven banner is GWs??

I agree with SB. They're going after guys because the figures & accessories could be used with GW rules. That's only protecting GW's IP if GW owns the entirety of fantasy and science fiction gaming. And if "could be used with" copyrighted material is a proper basis for a lawsuit, they can go after people making trees and dice next.

It's especially irritating coming from GW. I don't believe the company has ever had an original idea. Their business model has been to see how close they can get to someone's book or movie without being successfully sued. Turns out this is pretty close--if you have enough lawyers. I think only the Tolkien estate had enough legal firepower to meet them on equal terms.

I'd say "organize a boycot" but since except for paints and brushes I haven't purchased a GW product from GW for better than 25 years, I'm not sure I have standing. May have to reconsider buying their paints.

As I said above, I'm not in the cult.
I'm officially an apostate.

I have bought Contrast paint. They're kool but too damn expensive.
Yeah, yeah. There goes another Boomer whining about GW prices. 🤷

I'm not sure what their effect is on marketing outlets such as Etsy and EBay but as far as the standard "Cease and Desist" letter, if I was making generic stuff without any specific relation to GW products, I'd round file it. In house counsel need to justify their existence but spending actual litigation dollars is very different. I suspect it is a broad brush bluff and only those actually guilty of IP infringement ( there are some ) need worry.

Yes, but Etsy's response to a copyright strike is to immediatelty pull the product in question. Then you have to prove your innocence to get reinstated.

I'd have to see the alleged offender to form an opinion.

The recent buzz is around Ghamak miniatures. I believe GW is using aspects of Italian law. Before that GW used Florida law and got some victories.

The legal department is paid for so when not inking licensing deals they have to do something

I'd have to see the alleged offender to form an opinion.

I only have some bits to share:

Historical themed shields

Spacecraft Decals

Things like this usually get in trouble with how they mention "Suitable for use with"

Say these are MESBG decals or Gallowdark decals is a strike down

This is happening in 3D models as well. There are some people who just make their own slightly different versions of GW stuff, and skit calling them for GW games. But they seem to have also caught up others i the same net that make much more generic items. Problem is, for a small guy it will be too expensive to fight, even if you are in the right.