Mark Rein apologizes for Epic's lawyers attacking artist

While Mark Rein was away, the lawyers did play. During last week's GDC a cease and desist order was sent to Emilio Lopez over a very well done one-time piece of Gears of War art. Lopez had created the Munny doll for his cousin. The lawyers requested all Gears of War trademarks be removed -- even though the assets used to create the doll were taken from a fansite pack Epic released. Epic's VP Mark Rein apparently got back to the office after hearing about this and typed out a statement of apology and clarification.

Rein says on the Epic website, "Ugh. Our lawyers are trying to do their job and protect our trademarks but I guess they didn't realize this wasn't a commercial project and they fired off a standard form letter ... What we need to do is come up with some sort of permission letter for things like these so that we're properly protecting our future commercial rights but not stopping people from doing cool fan art like this. On behalf of Epic I apologize to Emilio and anyone who was offended by this."

[Thanks Frost]

Reader Comments (27)

now its sonys turn to say sorry, ba zing

what for?

Epic is totally heading down the right track here. Permission slips to avoid copyright infringement? That would kick so much ass. Fan games ftw!

I always knew Mark Rein was a good guy

it's a nice gesture by epic,
but it's still a good idea to ALWAYS source a TM or copyright, and state your affiliation, that simple act could save you from a headache of problems.

I guess it's a good thing Bungie never heard about the Halo 2 shirt I made in screen printing class. I'd be in jail right now!!

Mark Rein was likely only a good guy after all the people started writing epic angry emails.

And Sony apologizing? Frankly, I thought when Phil Harrison said the reason why Sony did not push for PS3 exclusive on GTAIV was because the PS3 installed base would not be the needed saturation for Rockstar to recover their investment was damn, damn big. Where else do they need to apologize?

@sheppy

It's likely Mark Rein didn't even know about the doll UNTIL he got angry email messages. You know how lawyers are...

And, what would Sony be apologizing for? There are no recent blunders that come to mind. Their GDC speech was a breath of fresh air, finally.

Good to see a human being bring some sense to a stupid situation.

@2: Oh, I dunno... Their legal action against Lik-sang and other importers which held no water? Hm?

deatfly is just a 360 troll

take no notice.

"Oh, I dunno... Their legal action against Lik-sang and other importers which held no water? Hm?"

You know, scores of stores got those notices. All except one followed them. I wonder if Nintendo would ever get this much shit if the suicide girl refused to take "I love Pokemon, Pikachu is sooooo cute" out of her profile?

It was just a mistake

sheppy: "And Sony apologizing? Frankly, I thought when Phil Harrison said the reason why Sony did not push for PS3 exclusive on GTAIV was because the PS3 installed base would not be the needed saturation for Rockstar to recover their investment was damn, damn big. Where else do they need to apologize?"

I think he meant they should apologize for being asses the few years and not living up to their promises, of course. What does the GTAIV "deal" have to do with apologizing? Could you not come up with anything less lame? I guess not, you have Sony's d!@& in your mouth.

"I think he meant they should apologize for being asses the few years and not living up to their promises, of course."

I'll make you a deal. The moment Nintendo delivers something with meat for the Wii and both Perry Kaplan and Reggie come forward and apologize for generalizing all PS3 users as gun toting thugs, I'll start looking for an apology from Sony hypemen.

To answer you question, I brought up the GTAIV remark because it shows that while Phil may not be willing to come forward and call PS3 a failure (because it isn't), it at least shows Phil Harrison is able to look at mistakes made and shoot realistic goals. Meanwhile, I get to hear about how "real men get tattoos" and other goth bar bullshit from Peter Moore.

So I ask you again. Where does Sony need to apologize? And please, try something new. This whole overpromising shit is getting old. Every company has overpromised. I'm still waiting for this "Revolution" thing Nintendo keeps talking about.

I think the Wii will be just like the DS; the controller will attract the mass market, it will get a massive install base and make mass money, and with that third party developers will get working and Nintendo will grow and make even more games :)

I have to say, too little too late. Big companies have such influence and legal power in the world that they should be held that much more to account when their lawyers slip their leash and start growling at passers-by.

More substantiative restitution should be made in this case, an apology seems deficient from the company when, five seconds before, it held a shotgun to Lopez's face.

"...it at least shows Phil Harrison is able to look at mistakes made and shoot realistic goals."

Yes, it at least shows they are making an effort(HOME looks good). The excuse of empty promises for all gamers is old as well (assuming that's where "deaftly" was going) , but the GTA exclusive stuff only applies to Sony fanboys selfish hopes of GTAIV being PS3 exclusive. So defending Sony for an obviously smart business decision (happens everyday) and then quoting something MS says that has nothing to do with the industry (like "tattoos") to defend you statement? C'mon man, your one of the smartest commenters here, you can do better than that.

Once again, sheppy, you lost me. If we want more games from Rockstar in the future, they need to go multi- platform.

Did anybody know the word "commenter" can't be plural, because I can't seem to find it?

That would be commentators.

"So defending Sony for an obviously smart business decision (happens everyday) and then quoting something MS says that has nothing to do with the industry (like "tattoos") to defend you statement?"

Actually, that quote does have relevance. Because it comes from last E3, when Peter Moore showed off his GTAIV tattoo.

Regardless, I still stand behind my guns. Sony was off to a horrible start and while PS3 was tripping over itself, PS2 and PSP were dropping some good stuff. PS3 is picking up steam and one of the last pieces left to fall into place is a price drop. If anything, they should apologize for letting Jack Tretton speak. Of course the only way to truly apologize for that is to tie him in a sack with Perrin Kaplan, a monkey, a dog, and a snake, and chuck that sack in the river.

*decides not to cancel unreal III preorder*

Well that's cool. I'm glad he came out and apologized. Everybody in the Munny custom community can breathe a little easier now.

What the hell does Sony and Nintendo have to do with Epic retracting a C&D?
Can we stop with the console pissing contests? Is fucking embarassing.
You don't see owners of different brand DVD players gouding each other over releases and features. No wonder casual gamers steer clear of gaming as a medium. The nerdy, hardcore gamer stereotype is alive and well... and putting the average person off.

Kudos to you, EnLiven. You're exactly right.

And huge kudos to Mr. Rein. I knew it was a bunch of dumb lawyers jumping on someone without talking to their bosses. They ought to be forced to apologize themselves for such an embarrassment. They need to send Emilio another Munny doll too so that he can show off more.

"Of course the only way to truly apologize for that is to tie him in a sack with Perrin Kaplan, a monkey, a dog, and a snake, and chuck that sack in the river."

LOL, I totally agree. I can't stand Perrin Kaplan. She reminds me of an airhead valley-girl wannabe who really doesn't know what she's talking about.

Reggie however, well, flowers spring up in his footsteps for all the children to enjoy.

Aww, after reading a story like this you can't help but to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. . .

Mark Rein apologizes for Epic's lawyers attacking artist

Reader Comments (27)

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