Blizzard relents on 'World of StarCraft' mod
Project can continue following misunderstanding but name must change
Blizzard has explained its reasons for serving a StarCraft 2 modder with a DMCA notice.
Ryan Winzen, creator of a planned MMO modification known as 'World of StarCraft', saw videos of his project removed from YouTube following copyright infringement claims by Blizzard.
The project was created within StarCraft 2's Galaxy editor, a fact which it now transpries Blizzard was not aware of when its lawyers went into action.
Wrote Winzen on his forum last night, "The Deputy General Council from Blizzard contacted me... apparently some people from Blizz were concerned I was developing the game somehow outside of SC2. Anyway I explained the details of the project and made it clear this mod was to be developed within SC2.
"After that was clear obviously wanted the name to be changed... I'm trying to work with him to get the name Starcraft Universe or Starcraft Chronicles. I am fully respectful of Blizzard's Intellectual property, and they do in fact own a copyright on "World of Starcraft" and have every right to do what they did."
In a statement, Blizzard argued that "With the name so closely resembling that of World of Warcraft, we wanted to discuss the title of the mod with the developer, and as part of our routine procedure, we contacted YouTube to request the video be removed while that discussion took place."
Blizzard claimed its actions were also related to "curiosity" about the project and a desire to discuss it with Winzen, although it seemingly did not arrange this until some 24 hours after the videos were pulled.
Following said discussion, "we're looking forward to seeing the continued development of this mod, and as part of our ongoing discussion, we've extended an offer to the developer to visit the Blizzard campus and meet with the StarCraft II development team."
"It was never our intention to stop development on the mod or discourage the community from expressing their creativity through the StarCraft II editor."
Winzen has also been courted by League of Legends developer Riot Games, though has since clarified that this ultimately entailed being encouraged to apply for a development position via the usual methods.