Judge shoots Dead Rising lawsuit in the head
US Magistrate Judge Richard Seeborg has dismissed MKR Group's lawsuit claiming that Capcom's Dead Rising infringed on the copyrights of its horror film, Dawn of the Dead. The judge agreed with Capcom's argument that the few similarities that MKR Group could cite were overridden by "the wholly unprotectable concept of humans battling zombies in a mall during a zombie outbreak."
The best part is that the judge sided on one issue with Capcom in the most back-handed way possible. MKR alleged as one of its complaints that the two works were parodies of rampant consumerism. Seeborg wrote in his decision that the theme of Dead Rising is "confined to the killing of zombies" in an attempt to discover the cause of a zombie infestation, and "the social commentary MKR draws from Dawn of the Dead, in other words, appears totally absent from the combat focus found in Dead Rising." We see the judge's point that the "theme" of consumerism isn't throughout the game, but it certainly is the catalyst for the events. You want spoilers, check the Wiki page.
The best part is that the judge sided on one issue with Capcom in the most back-handed way possible. MKR alleged as one of its complaints that the two works were parodies of rampant consumerism. Seeborg wrote in his decision that the theme of Dead Rising is "confined to the killing of zombies" in an attempt to discover the cause of a zombie infestation, and "the social commentary MKR draws from Dawn of the Dead, in other words, appears totally absent from the combat focus found in Dead Rising." We see the judge's point that the "theme" of consumerism isn't throughout the game, but it certainly is the catalyst for the events. You want spoilers, check the Wiki page.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jose @ Nov 19th 2008 6:19PM
I think judge just wanted an excuse to play video games.
"Yeah, it's for work honey, I'm not to be interrupted while I'm playing. Yes I have to use the push lawn mower for this part, don't ask questions about the case!"
BigD145 @ Nov 19th 2008 6:24PM
Even if the theme of consumerism was in both works, that just makes both works a parody of reality. The zombie theme itself parodies real people, so I guess MKR should sue all future zombie creations and it should be sued by all past zombie creations. Once that's done, we the people should sue all zombie creators.
Blank-Mage @ Nov 19th 2008 6:28PM
Epic.... burn?
Blank-Mage @ Nov 19th 2008 6:28PM
Oh, and just to get this out of the way...
He's covered wars, you know.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Nov 19th 2008 6:39PM
A clear-minded individual in today's world? MADNESS!
Epic kudos to the judge.
Titanium_Orchid @ Nov 19th 2008 8:27PM
MaDneSs!?!?!
This isn't madness.... this... is.. http://www.webhamster.com/
AGGAHAHAGHAGHG!HG!KDJF:FGNHGREIUT$ TJKFV dfa475
Bass Masterson @ Nov 19th 2008 6:54PM
The thing is, there was no theme of anti-consumerism in Dawn of the Dead. That's just what insufferable, pretentious people tell themselves so they can sound smart talking about a zombie film.
Charles @ Nov 19th 2008 7:51PM
If we're talking about the first movie, it definitely was a reflection on consumerism. It's also a sweet zombie movie.
OnToGlory @ Nov 20th 2008 9:08AM
"insufferable, pretentious people" - wow, the irony of the pot calling the kettle black.
Marty @ Nov 19th 2008 6:55PM
*Judge smacks lawsuit repeatedly with toy sword, skewers with handheld drill, smashes with bowling ball, and runs over with lawnmower.
There you go Joystiq... it's fixed now.
Exo @ Nov 19th 2008 7:47PM
maybe they can anounce the 2nd one now
zuburi @ Nov 19th 2008 8:12PM
FAAANTASTIC!
Owyn @ Nov 19th 2008 8:24PM
MKR really are stupid. Everybody can see this is a homage to "their" film, not a rip-off.
Dickheads.
bm @ Nov 20th 2008 3:48AM
So, is this another judge's way of saying "lol videogaemz can't communicate ideas"?
Anthony Perez @ Nov 20th 2008 10:11AM
I'm really glad this is done and over with. It was a ridiculous lawsuit, anyway. Now get us Dead Rising 2.
Phylicus @ Nov 20th 2008 4:49PM
I'm happy this lawsuit came to light just so I can hear a judge talk about zombies.