Epic Games Sues YouTubers for Copyright Infringements and Unfair Trade Practices
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite: Battle Royale, has filed a lawsuit against YouTubers Brandon Lucas and Colton Conter for multiple copyright infringements. The lawsuit, spanning 35 pages, was filed on October 10th in North Carolina, with details made public in a document released by TorrentFreak.
YouTubers’ Violations and Breach of Contract
In the lawsuit, Epic Games accuses both YouTubers of violating two sections of the U.S. Copyright Act. Additionally, their actions are considered a breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relations, and encompass unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Unauthorized Fortnite Cheats
Lucas and Conter were known for showcasing cheats for Fortnite: Battle Royale on their YouTube channels. These cheats include tools that enable automatic aiming and shooting at opponents without needing to physically move or click with a mouse.
Epic Games argues that these cheats constitute unauthorized modifications of the game’s code, resulting in unauthorized derivative works of Fortnite. Not only do these cheats alter the gameplay experience for players, but they also impact the experience for those who watch others play the game.
Lucas’ Continued Promotion of Cheats
According to Epic Games, Lucas continues to use his videos to promote and sell the hacks, directing viewers to websites where they can purchase them. The company also believes that those who buy the hacks from Lucas use them to cheat while playing Fortnite.
Epic Games’ Request for Legal Action and Compensation
Epic Games seeks a permanent injunction to prevent Lucas and Conter from engaging in the aforementioned conduct. They also want the YouTubers to disgorge their profits, pay for damages, attorneys’ fees, and all costs associated with the lawsuit. However, the specific amount of money requested by the company is not disclosed.
Previous Legal Action Against Fortnite Cheaters
This is not the first time Epic Games has taken legal action against cheaters in Fortnite. In October 2017, the company sued Brandon Broom and Charles Vraspir for their alleged involvement with the cheat website AddictedCheats.
Source: H/T IGN