• Unofficial Life is Strange 2 Kickstarter Cancelled



    Only a few hours after it started, an Unofficial Kickstarter intended to raise $20,0000 was cancelled. The campaign was set up to buy the rights to make a sequel to the episodic game. According to the Kickstarter web site, it was cancelled due to an "intellectual property dispute".

    Here is the copyright notification published by Kickstarter:

    Life is Strange 2 (Canceled) [Submitted by Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix, Ltd.]

    Date: Apr 5 2016
    Sender
    [Private]
    Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix, Ltd.
    999 N Sepulveda Blvd, 3rd Floor
    El Segundo, CA 90245
    US

    Sent via online form

    Recipient
    Kickstarter, PBC
    58 Kent Street
    Brooklyn, NY 11222
    USA

    Re: Life is Strange 2 (Canceled)

    Description of copyrighted material: The videogame "Life is Strange" is developed by Don't Nod Entertainment. Further, Square Enix, Ltd., is the owner of all intellectual property rights to the "Life is Strange" franchise (the "Square Enix Products") which is published in the United States through Square Enix, Inc. (collectively "Square Enix").


    Description of infringing material: The Kickstarter Project proposes to create a sequel to our videogame series "Life is Strange." While we appreciate the enthusiasm of our fans, we are unable to provide permission for Kickstarter projects proposing the development of Square Enix Products. We request that the project be expeditiously removed. However, as long as the request is complied with, we do not wish for Kickstarter to impose a strike against the individual's account if possible. Please find attached snapshots of the said Kickstarter project and the Square Enix Products. The Kickstarter project can be found at the following link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...e-is-strange-2
    Relevant Links:

    The Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...e-is-strange-2
    The above mentioned Square Statement: https://www.kickstarter.com/dmca/lif...x-inc-and-squa
    Eyes on Final Fantasy Life is Strange Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...0Igj62xtLqWv7E
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Unofficial Life is Strange 2 Kickstarter Cancelled started by Colonel Angus View original post
    Comments 5 Comments
    1. Formalhaut's Avatar
      Formalhaut -
      Is Square Enix not going to make a sequel themselves?
    1. Mirage's Avatar
      Mirage -
      so what's the deal here. did don'tnod give away the rights to make a sequel to SE? was this KS to let them buy the rights back?
    1. Colonel Angus's Avatar
      Colonel Angus -
      What I heard happened was the kickstarter was to raise money to buy the rights to make a sequel, not raise money to make an unauthorized sequel. I didn't get to see the original page when it was up, so I don't know for sure. Square's response makes it seem otherwise, that they were raising money to make an unauthorized sequel.

      IDK if Square is going to make another series. Maybe they are, as they're trying to protect their copyright.
    1. Mirage's Avatar
      Mirage -
      there are many instances where companies protect their licenses without having any intentions of doing anything with them
    1. Shauna's Avatar
      Shauna -
      I thought a sequel had already been announced?
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