3 Count: Epic Darkness

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1: Dark and Darker Pulled From Epic Games Store Amid Ongoing Legal Dispute

First off today, Ken Allsop at PCGamesN reports that the roleplaying game Dark and Darker has been delisted from the Epic Games Store (EGS) following a court ruling that the game infringed another company’s trade secrets.

Ironmace is the developer behind Dark and Darker. The company is comprised of former Nexon Games employees. Nexon Games sued Ironmace, alleging copyright and trade secret infringement. This resulted in a tumultuous history for the game, which has been removed and re-added to various online marketplaces.

However, last month, a South Korean judge ruled that Ironmace did not commit copyright infringement but infringed on Nexon’s trade secrets. The court awarded Nexon 8.5 billion won ($5.9 million) in damages. The game has been pulled from EGS but is still available on other platforms, notably Steam. However, it is unclear if that will remain the case.

2: ASCAP Files Federal Copyright Suit Against Rum Runners for Playing Songs Without Paying for License

Next up today, Mark Oprea at Cleveland Scene reports that the local bar Rum Runners has been sued by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for allegedly playing music without a license.

ASCAP is a performing rights organization that collects royalties for songwriters and publishers when their music is used in bars, restaurants, stores and other businesses. According to ASCAP, they attempted to contact the bar over 80 times about getting a license, but were rebuffed.

ASCAP typically files dozens of lawsuits similar to this every year. This particular lawsuit is part of a batch of around a dozen nationwide. ASCAP says its goal isn’t to put Rum Runners or any similar establishment out of business. Instead, it hopes the owners will come to the table and agree to a license that works for everyone.

3: Woman Suing Taylor Swift Is Hoping a New Judge Will Help Her

Finally today, Jenna Sundel at Newsweek reports that Florida artist Kimberly Marasco has refiled her lawsuit against Taylor Swift, after a previous judge dismissed it due to a procedural issue.

According to Marasco, songs on Swift’s Tortured Poets Department and Lover albums infringed on earlier works by her. She filed her original complaint in April 2024, but that case was partially dismissed last month for failing to serve Swift and other defendants in a timely manner.

Now Marasco has refiled the lawsuit, seeking $25 million in damages. Claims in the first lawsuit against Taylor Swift Productions are still ongoing.

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