Bobby Prince is the composer of several well known games such as: Duke Nukem 2, Doom, Doom II: Hell on Earth, Duke Nukem 3D and many more. Prince is suing Gearbox, Valve and of course Randy Pitchford. The lawsuit has been filed due to use of his music without permission, in the Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. It also states, that he did not receive any sort of compensation. You can read the document here.
Sixteen of his songs were used in the Duke Nukem 3D, under an agreement with developer Apogee. “Apogee had a limited right to use Mr. Prince’s music in Duke Nukem 3D in exchange for a royalty equal to $1 per unit sold.”
“The electronic files for the music within Duke Nukem 3D World Tour include text specifically stating that Mr Prince owns the copyright to the music and has reserved all rights to the music’s use. Yet Gearbox incorporated the music into the game without ever contacting Mr Prince and without clearing the rights expressly mentioned in the electronic files.”
Prince claims he contacted Pitchford requesting royalties, but never received any payment. According to Prince’s attorney Pitchford “refused to remove the music from the game.”
Prince contacted Valve as well.
“Valve ignored a takedown notice, thus waiving any immunity under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and continued distributing infringing copies of the music despite knowing that Mr Prince owned the copyrights in the music”.
Randy Pitchford, Valve and Gearbox are being summoned and given twenty one days to respond.
Thanx PCGamer.
Chris was born in the early 80’s along with the very birth of home gaming. After spending many maaany drachmas on arcades, his father decided to buy him a PC instead of going bankrupt. He lived through the advancing and development of the gaming industry, having played TONS of games on all platforms. He is always honest and will never hesitate to give his true opinion on a game no matter what. Loves stealth games and dislikes microtsansactions, DLC and pre-ordering…who doesn’t after all?!
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