Last year, The Witcher creator and author Andrzej Sapkowski sent a notice to the game developer Cd Projekt Red demanding they pay him more money, thanks to the millions they earned using the characters and worlds he created.
Sapkowski demanded a payment of at least 60,000,000.00 PLN – which is just over $16 Million US. At the time, CDPR said that the author’s demands are egregious, but that they’d look at settling things in an amicable manner.
“In the Company’s opinion the demands expressed in the notice are groundless with regard to their merit as well as the stipulated amount. The Company had legitimately and legally acquired copyright to Mr. Andrzej Sapkowski’s work, i.a. insofar as is required for its use in games developed by the Company. All liabilities payable by the Company in association therewith have been properly discharged.
It is the Company’s will to maintain good relations with authors of works which have inspired CD PROJEKT RED’s own creations. Consequently, the Board will go to great lengths to ensure amicable resolution of this dispute; however, any such resolution must be respectful of previously expressed intents of both parties, as well as existing contracts. “
According to paywalled Polish site Puls Biznesu (via WCCFTech), a settlement has been reached, and CDPR has paid Sapkowski a settlement amount. It’s believed to be significantly lower than amount he demanded, but is probably more than the $9,000 he made selling off the rights in the first place.
Last Updated: February 5, 2019
Matthew Holliday
February 5, 2019 at 14:46
Maintaining amicable relations suggests future Witcher stuff, right?
Cool.
Raptor Rants
February 5, 2019 at 15:16
Well, not really. They could have been completely closed off to any resolution as the selling of the IP and copywrite pretty much is binding.
CDPR could have said “Denied” and continued making more Witcher games with no need to worry about legality.
However, by doing this all they are doing is cementing themselves as awesome in the eyes of their fans and people who are yet to be fans and therefore increasing loyalty and desire to buy their products which ultimately leads to more income for them which leads to better DLC and new IPs such as Cyberpunk and establishes a cycle of trust with folks and the circle continues until they are the best developer in the history of ever and show up all other developers and teach them a thing or 2 causing a revolution in gaming where integrity is again at the core of gaming!
*takes a deep breath*
Phew. What a mouth full.
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:44
Also if they want to acquire future IP from other authorcontent creators they, they will have their good reputation intact
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 5, 2019 at 14:50
The words “as jy dom is moet jy kak” spring to mind. I’m kinda glad they did this though, even though they had no obligation to because they bought the rights fair and square from his salty ass. Shows a bit of corporate responsibility.
Admiral Chief
February 5, 2019 at 14:50
^^^
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:00
I’m glad I can disassociate his works from his personality. Because Sapkowski really strikes me as quite a prick.
Um, not that I’ve ever BEEN physically struck by…
I’m just stopping right there.
Admiral Chief
February 5, 2019 at 15:00
[raises alarm and points finger]
PHALLIC REFERENCE!!!
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:00
What…did I cock shock you?
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:35
Enough with these unsolicited dick posts already…
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:36
You do realise that by saying that, you’re asking for it.
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:40
I have so many things I’d like to say about this reply, but I think I’m just going to walk away now.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:47
So…do you feel like you’re being shafted from pillar to post?
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:47
Read your reply. Think about what certain types say when a woman wears a skirt.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:47
I haven’t got a clue what certain types might say.
And if it’s derogatory to women, then those types must go fark themselves with a cactus.
You know full well that all comments I make like this are tongue in cheek and meant to induce a measure of humour.
C’mon… Caaaahmaaaaaahn!
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:53
I know they are tongue in cheek lol. Hence I didn’t retort (ask Cheddar how I react to intended cunt-assery). But holy hell that reference was harsh. XD Like I couldn’t get past that and back to the humour. XD
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 15:53
Still, you were giving me a hard time.
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 16:11
Oh the first reply was me also taking the piss (pun intended). I just didn’t quite expect yours thereafter. XD
Original Heretic
February 5, 2019 at 16:12
Nooooooobody expects the Heretical Inquisition!
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 16:17
HERETICS?! WHERE?!?!
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:39
No one expects the ‘Shoker”
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:39
Was pretty border line even thou I knew it was a joke
Raptor Rants
February 5, 2019 at 15:10
CDPR
No DRM
Pays more even though legally not required.
Amazing DLC content.
No Microtransactions
One of the most beloved developers of this generation.
Mmmm. Gee. I wonder if they haven’t got a winning formula here?
Naaaaah. Let’s go back to EA
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:36
Most beloved != most profitable. And at the end of the day, it’s a business. EA wins. Capitalism in a nutshell.
Raptor Rants
February 5, 2019 at 15:40
They do alright I believe. They’ve made their Moolah and they can say that theirs seemingly (From what is known) has been done with a pretty good moral compass
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:40
Oh there’s no doubt that they make money and that they’re successful, and that they have the moral high ground (more like a mountain). But they don’t make EA kinds of money.
Raptor Rants
February 5, 2019 at 15:40
To be fair they don’t really need to. They make good money. Have a healthy capital and they make great games at a pace that isn’t spitting out soulless cashgrabs every few months. I reckon they are 100% better off than EA and their lavish corporate machines.
Pariah
February 5, 2019 at 15:47
Eh, greed isn’t necessary. And EA is the epitome of greed.
For the record, I’m 100% on your side of the fence with this. I just marvel at how something like EA is so much more profitable, and therefore successful, in a capitalist world.
Raptor Rants
February 5, 2019 at 15:53
EA has cultivated a FOMO kind of air around their titles. People want the titles just in case it’s the next best thing. They’ve made it so that people are afraid to wait to get on board with the game.
People don’t want to wait because then they are going to fall behind.
It’s an insanely good marketing tactic and people keep falling for it. Pre-order day 1 man. Or you are going to miss out on… something. Not sure what. But that’s the fear.
That’s how they are so effective.
Oh and buying franchises that are doing well, releasing a game to get the cash injection from the fan base and then can the IP.
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:49
Just wish they would make a decent no micro transaction riddled star warts game, Preferably and RPG type one *cough cough* bioware
RinceThis
February 5, 2019 at 15:26
They are just as benevolent as those lovely suits over at EA for giving us the Titanfall 3 game we so deserve!
Caveshen Rajman
February 5, 2019 at 14:46
> Be CDPR
> Get disowned by dad
> “You’ll never be good enough.”
> Go on to make a success of yourself
> Make millions
> Global brand
> Dad calls you one day
> “You owe me your success.”
Geoffrey Tim
February 5, 2019 at 14:46
Accurate
Admiral Chief
February 5, 2019 at 14:50
Spot on
Allykhat
February 5, 2019 at 14:50
Next thing you know, Dad Breaks Bad….
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:39
Caveshen and his pearls of wisdom xD keep it up man
For the Emperor!
February 5, 2019 at 22:03
Just like in Waterboy! 😛
Admiral Chief
February 6, 2019 at 12:20
You know what, this might be comment of the week. Even after I regaled you all of a magnificent tale of bro-mance and farts with @LlewellynCrossley:disqus
Llama In The Rift
February 5, 2019 at 16:11
F*$k DRM and Law Suites/Settlements!!
Cyberpunk 2077 is coming!!!
R1ker
February 5, 2019 at 17:57
Ryanza – is that you?
Guz
February 5, 2019 at 16:44
CDPR staying classy