Slashdot Mirror
Nintendo Warns MMO Company Over Trademark Issues
Gamasutra.com (news now registration free) has word that MMOG developer Webzen has received a friendly letter from Nintendo discussing the similarities screenshots of their upcoming game have with The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. The developer states that this is a coincidence resulting from the cell shades style of their game, and the particular hair and clothes show in published media. From the article: "a spokesperson from developer Webzen claims that the hero of the game does not have any fixed image, and is created by the player to be their avatar in the game world." Heads up courtesy your friendly neighborhood simoniker.
"--On the one hand, as the designers point out, that is merely an early screenshot. The real avatar may look like that, or may look entirely different."
On the other hand, maybe they should release screenshots that don't look like they belong to Wind Waker. Then they wouldn't be infringing on trademarks or confusing people into thinking it's Wind Waker instead of Wiki.
"Yeah, it's a screenshot that looks similar. Deal with it."
They are. They sent a letter instead of a lawsuit.
" I think this is an instance of an overzealous lawyer"
I think this is an isntance of an overzealous attempt to assume lawyers only represent evil intentions.
"Derp de derp."
I looked at screens from both games. So what, Nintendo has patented cell shaded characters with white skin and yellow hair?
I don't think the Big N has any point here. Really. Hair is different, cloaths are different, no green zelda outfit. Have you ever seen Link in anything but green?
Sorry, last I checked nintendo did not have a trademark on all cell shaded wasp characters.