Bobby Prince Sues Valve, Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford

Game music composer Bobby Prince is suing Valve, Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford over unauthorized use of his music in Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary Edition World, the Duke 3D reissue from a few years ago. Prince, perhaps most famous for his iconic DOOM soundtrack has submitted this complaint (thanks PC Gamer) stating that his 1996 soundtrack was reused without permission. He is demanding a trial by jury and is seeking "maximum statutory damages per infringement or, alternatively, actual damages and Defendants’ profits, plus attorneys’ fees and costs, as well as an injunction prohibiting Defendants from infringing his copyrights." Valve is cited here for because Prince claims they continued to offer the game through Steam after being informed of the problem: "Valve distributed copies of Duke Nukem 3D World Tour. Valve continued doing so after receiving actual notice that Duke Nukem 3D World Tour infringed Mr. Prince’s copyright." Here are details of the complaint against Gearbox and Pitchford:
Before Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing released Duke Nukem 3D World Tour, Mr. Pitchford received a copy of the 1996 license between Apogee and Mr. Prince. He thus knew that Mr. Prince owned the rights to the music and that Apogee had to pay Mr. Prince for its use of the music in prior versions of Duke Nukem games.

Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing released Duke Nukem 3D World Tour on October 11, 2016. The game included music composed by Mr. Prince that is covered by his copyright registration and sound effects and edited dialog created by Mr. Prince. The electronic files for the music within Duke Nukem 3D World Tour include text specifically stating that Mr. Prince owns the copyright to the music.

Eventually, Mr. Pitchford directed Steve Gibson, the Head of Publishing at Gearbox Publishing, to make sure that Gearbox was “doing right” by Mr. Prince.

Despite receiving a direct order to “do right” by Mr. Prince, Gearbox proceeded to distribute infringing copies of Duke Nukem 3D World Tour without obtaining a license and without compensating Mr. Prince.

During discussions with Mr. Prince, Mr. Pitchford and Mr. Gibson acknowledged that Mr. Prince owned the music he had composed for Duke Nukem 3D
and that Gearbox used in Duke Nukem 3D World Tour.

Mr. Pitchford adopted the position that Gearbox had no license to use Mr. Prince’s music.

Mr. Gibson acknowledged that Gearbox had no license to use Mr. Prince’s music.

Upon information and belief, Gearbox did nothing to clear the rights to Mr. Prince’s music before incorporating it into Duke Nukem 3D World Tour.

Eventually, it became evident that Gearbox had no intention of paying Mr. Prince for its use of his music. Mr. Prince advised Gearbox that it could either pay him according to the terms of the original license for the music or remove his music from the game. Mr. Pitchford and Gearbox did neither.
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9.
 
Re: Bobby Prince Sues Valve, Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford
Sep 30, 2019, 14:39
9.
Re: Bobby Prince Sues Valve, Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford Sep 30, 2019, 14:39
Sep 30, 2019, 14:39
 
Riahderymnmaddog wrote on Sep 30, 2019, 13:49:
LOL you never see Tim Sweeney or EGS getting sued.. Must be the bribes they pay out.
EGS is too big to fail illegal to sue.
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 Re: Bobby Prince Sues Valve, Gearbox, and Randy Pitchford