Unofficial Life is Strange 2 Kickstarter Cancelled

[Colonel Angus]

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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

[Formalhaut]

Is Square Enix not going to make a sequel themselves?

[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?

[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.

[Mirage]

there are many instances where companies protect their licenses without having any intentions of doing anything with them

[Shauna]

I thought a sequel had already been announced?