3 Count: Dirty Cheaters

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1: Bungie & Ubisoft Sue Destiny 2 Cheatmakers Ring-1 For Copyright Infringement

First off today, Andy Maxwell at Torrentfreak writes that video game makers Bungie and Ubisoft have filed a lawsuit against five individuals that they allege are behind the Ring-1 group, which makes and distributes popular cheating software for various games.

Specifically the five men are accused of making and distributing cheats for games such as Destiny and Rainbow Six Siege. Only three of the defendants were identified by name, two located in the U.S. and one in the UK, and others were identified solely by their screen names.

The lawsuit alleges that the group is committing copyright infringement not only because they are making derivative works based upon their games, but because they are circumventing copyright protection tools. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction against any further distribution as well as the maximum statutory damages on the copyright counts and damages. They are also seeking damages for trademark violations and alleged violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

2: Google Urged to Pay News Copyright Fees

Next up today, Baek Byung-yeul at the Korea Times reports that a new bill in the South Korean National Assembly follows in the footsteps of other nations in trying to force Google to pay a license fee to local news organization for the use of their content in Google News.

The bill is sponsored by a Representative from the main opposition People Power Party and aims to amend the current Newspaper Act. According to a local newspaper industry representative, local service providers have long paid for the news content they use while Google has not and the bill seeks to level that playing field.

The move is in line with other countries, most notably the EU, which passed a similar bill as part of a copyright overhaul in 2019.

3: Ammon Children’s Discovery Center Sues Rexburg Over Copyright Infringement

Finally today, Jakob Thorington at the Post Register reports that, in Idaho, an Ammon-based business has filed a lawsuit against the nearby town of Rexburg over alleged copyright infringement of its child-friendly artwork and scenery.

The lawsuit was filed by Kids’ Town, a child day care and education center, and claims that the City of Rexburg, when creating its Kidsburg child care center, copied various elements including a barn, painted scenery and other elements.

According to the complaint, Kidsburg opened on October 31, 2018 and Kids’ Town sent its first letter in December of that year. However, Rexburg denied any infringement though they did change the logo for Kidsburg. Kids’ Town is seeking $3,892 in damages for lost sales as well as an injunction barring further infringement.

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