The lights are on
John Beiswenger, author of "Link," has taken Ubisoft to court over claims the publisher lifted story ideas from his novel to create the Assassin's Creed universe.
The complaint, which was filed earlier this week in a Pennsylvania court, outlines many of the similarities between the book and the game. In "Link," the plot introduces the conception and creation "of a device and process whereby ancestral memories can be accessed, recalled, relived, and re-experienced by the user."
Both also include spiritual and religious tones, assassinations, and characters experiencing historical events through their ancestors’ memories. "Ubisoft have directly copied, and directly and contributorily infringed on the whole of Plaintiff’s copyrighted work," the lawsuit claims. "Link" was first published in 2003.
Beiswenger is seeking 1.05 million in damages and up to $5.25 million if the judge rules Ubisoft knowingly infringed on the copyright, in addition to halting the release of Assassin's Creed III and related products.
Ubisoft said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
The complaint in PDF form can be read here.
[via Patent Arcade]
Hmm interesting case. I'll have to look the book and check on the similarities. If it's a straight up copy or a large chunk of similar ideas then the man does have a case. But if it just has a few similarities then I'm not really sure what I think. The fact that AC has been out for such a long time, and now a complaint is being filed? Also it's quite possible then Ubi came up with a similar idea without even knowing about the novel. Well time to see how this plays out and the effects it has on the release date of AC III.
That's BS, the plaintiffs claim is too loosely based...**BRAAAHHHH** I haven't been this excited about an AC title since AC2 and now we have to wait even longer and maybe not get to play it at all.
First off, if they did steal it from him, pay the man. But if your are him why would you want to stop the game from production. Doesnt make sense they will have to pay you royalties on each game and future games, why would you stop that?. Not to mention if it does relate to the book, it might increase his book sales. His book came out in 2003 and Amazon.com has one review written 5 years ago. Apparently his book wasn't that good?, and take from game of thrones series "a song of fire and ice", not many people knew about it before the TV show came out, but now those book sales have sky rocketed in the past year.
What spiritual and religious tones. Besides random names taken from various mythologies (Apples of Eden, Juno, etc) Assassin's Creed never touches on religious themes.
Also, when we people realize that same concept does not equal rip off. One concept is worth an infinite amount of stories. If his argument boils down to 'it's the same base concept' I will scream.
Isn't this a little bit, oh, I don't know... late?
And the fact is there's no copyrighting ideas. A computer/machine that allows you to access ancestral memories as a story concept is simply not proprietary in any fashion.
Doubtful that they blatanty copied it. I surely don't know who came up with the concept for Assassin's Creed, and for all we know it could've been before 2003.
This author should probably be thanking Ubisoft not taking them to court whether they stole his idea or not. I read alot of historical fantasy, and I have never heard of this guy or his books, the AC series using his ideas could only make his book more popular.
If nothing, this should at least raise the number of copies of "Link" that will be sold in the coming days/weeks. Maybe enough to meet the amount he's suing for ...
At first the case seems a bit strong with the similarities between the Link machine and the Animus, but then you remember (or you Googled it, like I did) that the idea of genetic memory has been around since at least the 19th century.
I don't think he has any claim to the idea, since it intrinsical imploys either Lamaarkian skill or 'past lives' in any practical application.
Nor do I think he has any claim to a machine that effects the consciousness of the seated user, like in Total Recall, The Matrix, Men in Black, or the Cell. Heck, he may as well take a stab at Avatar and Inception.
*spoilers*
I think the only real strong point he has is a divine figure talking past the past life and directly to the linked up person. Jesus looking at the Link guy and Juno looking at Desmond are pretty hard to shake. But even then, it seems to just be largely coincidence.
*end spoiler*
I really hope against that all odds that the Judge and Jury have taken the time to both read the book and at least watch someone play the entire game series.
Over all, aside from my wish that this guy be counter-sued into the dust, I just hope Assassins Creed 3 and maybe after come out at all.
I don't care whether they lifted the idea or not as long as it's cleared up and the game is made.
Just pay the dude his money and let's move on shall we?
This guy is total mad! After some days he'll come crying about someone stealing his dreams!!! This concept of travelling to future or past or reliving the memories of ancestors is very old! This issue shouldn't even cause trouble for Ubisoft! Fact is this guy is mad that when he used the idea it didn't work but when Ubisoft used it, I guess you all know what happened! I have only one thing to say to him, Ubisoft knows how to create attraction which he doesn't!!!