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Games Workshop Forbids Warhammer Fan Films

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the wont-last-after-WAR-is-released dept.

EikeHein writes "Made by dozens of fans over a period of several years and featuring impressive special effects, the feature-length Warhammer 40.000 epic DAMNATUS ranks among the most elaborate fan productions ever made — and yet may never see the light of day. Despite initially giving a go-ahead to the project, UK-based Warhammer franchise owner Games Workshop has come around to forbid distribution of the film just as it was being readied for release. What's more, they've amended their IP Policy to forbid any such projects in the future. At the heart of the matter appears to be Continental European copyright law, which grants the German film makers certain irrevocable rights to their creation which they cannot sign away. Given that the owners of the other two SF mega-franchises, Star Trek and Star Wars, have been able to come to terms with such issues and arguably benefit greatly from the media attention paid to popular fan productions, it would seem that Games Workshop still has to learn a thing or two about how to capture fan enthusiasm for their benefit."

7 of 251 comments (clear)

  1. A "fuck you" from GW... by imbaczek · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...to which fans will reply with a generous "fuck you too."

    More news at 11.

  2. Re:Preposterous by andrewd18 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't know anyone who plays Warhammer without Orcs.
    Waaagh!! We be Orks wid uh k, you insensitive 'umie!
  3. Well, duh by slapout · · Score: 5, Funny

    1. Leak film on bittorrent.
    2. ?
    3. Profit!

    --
    Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
  4. Re:Call it a parody instead by bigdavex · · Score: 4, Funny

    Call it a parody instead. Then it's legal.

    Hmmm. What if we call it a banana?
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    -Dave
  5. Re:Simple Solution by orkysoft · · Score: 4, Funny

    Probably a rogue trader.

    --

    I suffer from attention surplus disorder.
  6. Re:Ahem. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    And just think, YOU posted here. That makes you a wannabe nerd who's not cool enough to even hang out with nerds. So, what now? :P

    (think I'll post this anon... the modders are more likely to mark it flamebait than my intended funny. ;-) -- but just in case, a pre-emptive *shakes fist* if it gets modded up. hehe)

  7. Re:Preposterous by R_Dorothy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Careful - Orcs with a 'k' almost certainly violates their IP.

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    Stupid flounders!