MLB coming after Fallout 4 mod
We all know Fallout 4 takes place in Boston. Fallout modder “Richie Branson” was clever enough to make a seemingly harmless David Ortiz mod, because…why not? The mod allowed you to play as the Red Sox baseball player and knock around raiders, super mutants, and other wasteland scum with a baseball bat. Unfortunately, the MLB did not take too kindly to this mod.
MLB leagues spokesman, Steve Annear, had this to say:
“The use of these marks is an infringement of our rights. We plan to enforce those rights.”
Branson replied to the Boston Globe that if the MLB pushes the subject he will take the mod down. Is the MLB taking this too far? What harm does a simple mod that isn’t an official piece of a game have on the MLB? Does the MLB go after parody artists or even movies that show the Red Sox in a bad light? If anything, this mod paints one of their famed players as a wasteland hero.
What do you guys think? Sound off in the comments below.
mrivera269
JTP intern, Penn State student, and passionate gamer who loves to write about it.
Source bostonglobe.com
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Hooray for modern American copyright laws and stupidity!
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It's too bad Branson is backing down on this one, because the MLB doesn't have a prayer. They may not be out of line, but enforcing things like this in the non-profit modding scene is a joke.
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TheTwo_3459November 14, 2015, 6:57 pmCorrect me if I'm wrong but isn't parody protected by copyright law?
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I believe it is, but it must be altered from the original source in some way. I'm no copyright lawyer though.
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Gabriel_8642November 14, 2015, 2:07 pmFuck the MLB. They're not gonna be able to take down a mod from the internet, might as well try to remove a picture from the internet. Hell, I'll rehost the mod myself if I have to. Can't wait for them to come and try to sue me in Sweden. Good luck MLB. lol ffs fucking idiots
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MathenautNovember 14, 2015, 9:32 amCopyright law is insane.
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That's U.S. trademark/copyright holders for ya. I mean, technically this is a bit of an infringement if the uniform is identical to the real life one, but all I see here - as a non-sports person, so correct me if I'm wrong - is what barely looks like a legit uniform to begin with.
But hey... You live in 'Murica, you bound to be sued! -
This to me, just smells, like most copyright claims filed today, of a claim for the sake of making a claim, and trying to tell everyone "MINE, THIS IS MINE, AND I NO SHARE." Petulant, in my humble opinion. It would be like me going after a piece of fan fiction based off of one of my stories. Which I would never do.
