Fri, March 16 2018, NO FEEDBACK
Here we are. Since the DMCA takedown on Steam in January and the shutdown of my Youtube videos, I sent a couple of emails to the plaintiff and to Warner Bros. but they don’t seem to have to time to answer.
As I don’t have the time to fight back and as I have other ongoing projects in the pipe, this post will certainly be the last on the subject but I’m still not in peace with it as I still don’t understand what I have done wrong.
As promised to my followers, you’ll find an agreement of principle right below and a few emails with WB regarding my project. For privacy, I blurred the names. I can only tell you that these 2 guys have huge experience at WB. One is Vice President of Emerging Tech and the other is Head of Digital Content publishing for more than 20 years, both from Los Angeles, Burbank.
Thu, Feb 22 2018, YOUTUBE TAKEDOWN
Shutting down my 3-years-fan-made VR experience from #steam & #viveport was not enough. My preview and real-time footage videos are now down too 🙁
These videos were uploaded since 2014 and were made with my own content (homemade 3D assets with licensed softwares) except for the Vangelis soundtrack, which is fine since Youtube and the Creator allow it for free usage and only video monetizing is forbidden. I never got any complaint for that usage until this day and if I had a complaint, I’d surely immediately changed it.
I tried to reach the plaintiff a couple of times since Valve gave me their lawyer contact but they are still ignoring my emails since beginning of January 2018. In the mean time, all my work is down except this website.
After investigations, it seems the plaintiff obtained the copyrights for any VR related title to the Blade Runner franchise. OK, fine. So they want to shutdown my free-fan-made VR project but what about my videos? These videos aren’t really showing VR features. BR9732 isn’t even a game, it’s a reconstitution hobby job. These videos contain camera travellings through the apartment, demoing some visual effects and proposing a few mood shots… that’s all! I’m really not sure about their rights to shut them down from Youtube 🙁
At this point, I’ll still waiting for a feedback from my contacts at Warner Bros. Home Ent. Los Angeles. I hope to get a sign from them as THEY allowed me to release BR9732 for the fans after testing it multiple times.
Fri, Jan 26 2018, STEAM & VIVEPORT TAKEDOWN
Valve reported me a copyright complaint and BR9732 is now removed from Steam.
The complaint doesn’t come from Warner Bros., the IP holders. That’s why it’s a bit annoying to me and I’m trying to figure out because I have a clear agreement of principle from Warner Bros L.A. Digital Department since Nov 2017.
During these 3 years, I always made a point of honor to inform everybody through my devblog and social networks about this fan project, IP holders always first.
I’m really disappointed with that kind of behavior on a free fan made project generating $0 and not taking profit to anyone and I want to insist on the fact that I would never have distributed this experience without the agreement of the IP holder.
At this moment, I’m waiting for one last clarification from WB but I still don’t have any reply from the plaintiff.
Keep in touch with the devblog or my twitter account. I’ll surely post some updates in the coming days.
THANK YOU
Once again, I would like to thank everybody, donators, supporters, followers, fans, … I’m so glad all of you liked my work. The very positive review score and all the kind messages is the best reward ever!
I’ll also never forget that second week of Jan 2018 where I saw BR9732 first in the charts on New Popular Releases 3 days in a row right above PUBG 😐 … all these guys testing on twitch and other funny youtube videos made my friends and I laugh quite a lot 🙂
55 comments
Join the conversationStarLight - January 30, 2018
It might be some outsourced IP troll which pulled the trigger before checking facts first… Lets hope you return to Steam. Too bad you cannot publish details, it would be beneficial to the public.
Jeff Courtney - February 22, 2018
I want this back.I waited and track it for years up to the release.Praise Jesus!
Jeff Courtney - February 22, 2018
To remove this or ban it is to remove and ban art and poetry.To remove prayer and the bible from schools too.It is most likely rooted from bitter contempt and jealousy or tasteless envy.I want this back.I waited and track it for years up to the release.Praise Jesus!
Mike Anderson - March 14, 2018
Jeff, there is no comparison. The USA has a thing called the Constitution, and among other things it is intended to separate Church and State, because the Founding Fathers of the country saw the horrible tyranny that could result form the merging of the two in England. Publicly funded schools CANNOT teach religion because it violates the Constitution of the United States.Same with the “intelligent design” nonsense, which in any case is rooted in the non-Biblical theory of a 17-century Anglo-Irish bishop. You want religion in schools, you need to attend a private religious school. Furthermore, this is hardly the appropriate place for you to be talking about it. Look up “non sequitur” in the dictionary.
Mike Anderson - March 14, 2018
Sorry, I should clarify – the “6000-year old universe” theory belongs to that bishop; “intelligent design” belongs to Americans who think their religion can (or needs to be) “scientifically proved.” As if that’s what religion is about.
Jesus? Jesus WEPT, my friend.
Matt Deckard - March 21, 2018
Please tell me which article of the constitution covers separation of church and state. It isn’t in the constitution. Try reading it at least once in your life.
MIke Anderson - June 12, 2018
By golly, you’re right! Guess it’s because I’m Canadian that I couldn’t be bothered to read the damn thing. Everything else I said, I stand by, and I note you didn’t address the fact that your rant is completely irrelevant to the matter at hand, and that you used this blog inappropriately to promote your religious agenda, and that the separation of Church and State in the USA is a precedent with over 200 years of history. So again: if you want religion in school, it simply can’t be in a publicly funded one, end of story. Go whine about it somewhere else now, as I’m sure you’ve done every time an opportunity presents itself.
Not A Lawyer - May 3, 2018
I think the way the law is written, they have to do everything possible to protect their copyright. Apple Records sued Apple computer because the name contained the world Apple. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer
If they are aware of a potential infringement, and they don’t take action, they forfeit the right to sue later – so if Quentin decides to open a theme park based on his vr property, and the owner (Alcon I think holds the Blade Runner license) took no steps to protect their copyright, Quentin might have the legal high ground.
If they were smart, they’d license the content from Quentin as his labor for their property, and use it as a promotional device, but I suspect the guys ho filed this are little more than form filling lawyers who don’t do a huge amount of diligence because why would they?
Eldon Tyrell - January 30, 2018
“The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long – and you have burned so very, very brightly, Quentin.”
Conscience constituent - January 30, 2018
I hope that you’ll come back on Steam soon,your work is awesome.
Until then,see you space cowboy.
stallfish - January 31, 2018
It’s very bad. I cant look at this game any more -(
vralltheway - March 5, 2018
If you have downloaded it, like I did, you should still be able to view it. I just did last night!
Luis Clement - January 31, 2018
Etremelly dissapointed to hear this news, keep fighting, never give up! Congratulation nonetheless, Luis.
Bob - January 31, 2018
Anyone got a “pirate” copy of this free game.
EAST - February 1, 2018
This is just terrible. I was exited to see the experience on Steam and all the good reviews it got there. Certainly you reached a bigger audience there.
I hope you’ll still work on this awesome project though, I’ll keep follow it from here.
Joey - February 12, 2018
Bring this back! I was waiting on this for years and then I forgot. I didn’t have the chance to check it out 🙁
Rjupa - February 12, 2018
I am in a similar position to Joey and many others who have followed your work but missed out on the window to download the experience. Please let us know any news regarding the takedown, and when we may get a second chance to enjoy this first-hand.
Congratulations on your wonderful work.
Iago Alonso Alonso - February 13, 2018
DON’T GIVE UP!!! Thanks for this amazing project. **** WB and their stupid policies.
You have all my respects, cheers.
IC - February 13, 2018
Best wishes,
I hope this is one of those Copyright scammers and you find them, I know I am not the only one who has had similar claims against them, mine was just for having photos of aircraft manual covers on flikr, dating back to 1960’s lol, not even an airworthy aircraft, they just saw the aircraft company name and went for it, and similar to yours, not raised by the company of the aircraft, Never found out who they were, and not a lot I could do. Troll and Scammers by any other name. Looking forward to this being re-released and keep up the excellent work.
Jeff Courtney - February 22, 2018
This was more a sunrise to a diminished retro decor of the 80s and the imagination of a kid that looked forward in the 80s to the future.Waiting to get to the 2020s to see if we got close to the story in reality.
Jeff Courtney - February 24, 2018
A fire that burns twice as bright burns twice as quick.Can’t you make the download available through this or another site?
Q. - February 26, 2018
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your enthusiasm.
I’ll still waiting for Warner Bros. feedback. I don’t want to have any problem with them. I hope to get some news very soon but I’m not very optimistic. The plaintiff seems very aggressive with my fan made work.
Tony Kustro - February 26, 2018
Extremely annoyed about this. This pushes me to cancel my Youtube Red account. Been a silent fan of your endevours for years so this news has pissed me off. Keep us updated please.
Archer - March 1, 2018
I’m sorry to hear about this. It was removed from Steam one day before I received my VR headset so I was never able to experience it. Alcon Entertainment’s actions are shameful. I went to their website and expressed my displeasure. I encourage others to do so as well.
Iago Alonso Alonso - March 1, 2018
I have the game downloaded on Steam updated to the lastest version. If someone wants to play it I can upload and share the link, but I don’t know if it would be put in problems the autor of this amazing experience.
Regards.
Lauren - March 2, 2018
Hello, Im a big fan who missed the download window and it would make my entire year if you could link me a copy
Spikerama - March 3, 2018
Quentin my bet is that it is Alcon Interactive who issued the complaint as they are the ones who made the Replicant Pursuit content for Gear VR and also the Memory Lab for Oculus to coincide with the release of 2049. They are currently making a long form VR game called Blade Runner Revelations. From what I have seen is it the shittiest piece of work ever to use the IP and not even a patch on what you have done.
Maybe that’s why they issued a take down. They are embarrassed by how a team of dozens can’t even get close the greatness of what one man has achieved.
If only they could see what I have seen with your eyes.
Dillon - March 4, 2018
Alcon is disgusting. They commissioned some REALLY terrible “official” tie-ins. They’re just embarassed that this has more passion put into it than their two projects combined.
Potter - March 4, 2018
I did find this, https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1789924451050066/ , Made by the same group that DMCA’d you, likely the reason why. Really sucks man.
jeff - March 11, 2018
It’s envy and jealousy.Your project is better than all the blade runner experiences on gear vr and oculus.The only other at there that comes close but blows away the blade runner pursuit and memory labs is androids dream vr on the Google play store.Praise Jesus!
Eldon - March 11, 2018
Sad to read this, I was a fan of your work !
Steve Young - March 20, 2018
Turn it into a parody, like “Dumb Starbucks coffee shop”
Iago Alonso Alonso - March 21, 2018
I suppose you will be able to guess the host.
Feel free the author of this blog to delete my comment if this action could put in trouble, so be quick people, I will do this only one time!!
#!Tghm0TTQ!9FPQ_kDJnBkR3VIzlqXOFHrK1X8UF_T2bt0S4tHp1pk
Nova - March 22, 2018
Thanks Man. youre a hero
Junior Medeiros - March 25, 2018
You all can try this amazing experience here: https://steamdb.info/app/770990/
just logging in with your Steam account and click the green “free” button at the right top!
Iago Alonso Alonso - March 25, 2018
WOW, I didn’t know this web! Thank you so much!
Mert - March 26, 2018
Just a heads up, I issued a complaint via Steam for this item with regards to IP. It wasn’t a case of the content, which was very good, but you were requesting donations through a link on the piece of software, which undoubtedly would have not been something either Alcon or WB would endorse. So without a contract, financially you were gaining from the Blade Runner IP through this piece of software and the world it was based on (brand awareness etc), even though you released it as a free download.
This may/may not have been the catalyst, but I’m guessing your earlier emails with WB is what put the wheels into motion with regards to the DMCA takedown. Large companies like that have to bring in many departments on such matters, if the project wasn’t fitting with their narrative for the IP then it wasn’t surprising legal decided to shut it down.
Anyway, hope you resolve the issues with them and manage to make it available again.
admin - March 28, 2018
Hm, strange behavior. First you issue a complaint and then you tell me “hope you resolve the issue”? OK, thank you but it seems it makes you a troll by definition IMO. I suggest you read the emails from WB again, here on the top of this page, and you’ll see that they explicitly allowed me to ask donations if the experience was free to download. And if they want the 290$ I got from fans, they can take it now. And let me tell you something: just rise your arguments to all the fan artists that make illustrations, goodies, t-shirts and selling them (not always cheap btw). They are plenty of them on Blade Runner Facebook groups. I never sold anything related BR, I made this for fun and for fans… so let me breath a bit please.
Dillon - April 18, 2018
You’re not too bright, are you, “Mert”? Troll. Get a hobby.
OrwellianPrisoner - March 28, 2018
Are there plans to continue working on this project? I don’t fully comprehend why you were forced to take it down in the first place so, I cannot comment on that particular matter but, it seems like you can still work on the project. It also seems like you could just distribute your creation for free using your own file distribution method if Steam or Viveport continue to refuse to carry it.
Would have any interest in sharing the source code? In other words, allow the community to work on it via GitHub or similar?
admin - March 29, 2018
For now, with a fully booked planning, I have now plan to continue this project but as I didn’t receive an official C&D, it sounds you could be right. Let me digest this takedown for a while and we’ll see then. I’m quite tired of BR…
Locomojo - April 23, 2018
If it’s any consolation, Steven Spielberg was denied rights to use Blade Runner in Ready Player One by Alcon. From LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-ready-player-one-references-20180401-story.html
While many rights-holders were more than happy to see their properties featured in a big-budget Spielberg movie, a few balked. Spielberg had hoped to include a sequence in the book that is set within the classic 1982 Ridley Scott film “Blade Runner,” but that plan was ultimately shelved.
“We tried very hard to do the Deckard scene in the book,” Spielberg says, referring to the “Blade Runner” character of Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford. “But even though Warner Bros. released ‘Blade Runner’ and Warner Bros. financed ‘Ready Player One,’ they had no rights to the IP.
“The producers [at Alcon Entertainment] had to approve it and they wouldn’t because they had their movie [‘Blade Runner 2049’] coming out and they didn’t know if we would enhance their commercial prospects or not, even though we were following the release of the latest ‘Blade Runner’ film.”
Roberto - August 30, 2018
To be honest, I am quite happy that BR did not turn up in any way in that drivel… 😉
pjdcyy - May 3, 2018
your game is a masterpiece, i will always waiting for your good news.
Rob - May 17, 2018
Hi there. I just played br9732 after leaving it in my downloads list for too long! I really enjoyed the experience and I hope you are proud of the work you achieved here.
admin - May 19, 2018
Thank you Rob.
maru - August 16, 2018
Because it is a translation from Japanese it may be wrong sentences,
As of August 16, 2018, STRAM seems to be able to play BR 9732 in STEAM.
It is now PLAY.
trung tam share hang - September 13, 2018
Now I am ready to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast coming again to read more news.
Joey - September 13, 2018
Hello Quinton. I got this to play with Oculus Rift, However, the controls are 180 degrees off. As a result, the game opens with the player facing the wall of the elevator. If I turn too far, the screen blanks because my own body is blocking the path of the sensors. Is there anyway you could program controls that could allow you to shift players’ front perspective to rotate 90 degrees?
admin - September 15, 2018
Sorry Joey. I’m not planning to work on this for now. I have plenty of other projects in the pipe 🙁
Joey - September 19, 2018
Ok no problem. Thanks for your hard work!
Dascoyne - November 3, 2018
Quinton, I’ve been touching base with your project intermittently for over 2 years and I’m heartbroken this all had to end. This project was wish fulfillment for this huge BR fan (who owns several Tomenosuke blasters, including a hand-polished version built by Toku-san himself, multiple props … heck, even my cellphone ringtone is the BR Vidphone ringtone). While I missed the Steam window I was able to find an alternate source. I just want to thank you for having the tenacity to have taken it this far, even if the ride is over. I’m one who can appreciate the details.
One small issue I do have with the Oculus Rift is that everything seems about, maybe, 10% too large. Is that something specific to the Oculus Rift calibration or is there an easy fix?
Regardless, thanks for making this dream come true. My wife doesn’t understand why I spend so much time in VR on the balcony just watching the rain fall.
admin - November 11, 2018
Thank you Dascoyne, you are welcome.
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