zddgame
/
Gaming News
/
Witcher Author Demands $16M In Royalties From CD Projekt Red Saying He Hasn't Been Fairly Compensated
Witcher Author Demands $16M In Royalties From CD Projekt Red Saying He Hasn't Been Fairly Compensated-January 2024
Jan 7, 2025 1:32 PM

  The wildly successful Witcher game series may have carved out a serious fanbase on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and other consoles, but it all began with a book series by Polish author Andrzey Sapkowski. Now, Sapkowski says he hasn't been fairly compensated for developer CD Projekt Red's use of his story, and he's asking for a considerable amount of money to make up for it.

  Sapkowski's lawyers have given CD Projekt Red a legal demand for payment for $16 million (£12.4 million). While the studio says it "legitimately and legally acquired" the rights to use The Witcher's story, Sapkowski insists he's entitled more because of the Polish Act on Copyright and Related Rights. Sapkowski's lawyers say it "may be invoked when the compensation remitted to the author is too low given the benefits obtained in association with the use of that author's work." Essentially, because The Witcher is so successful (now even spawning an upcoming TV show starring Henry Cavill), Sapkowski feels he's legally entitled to more compensation than he received.

  You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

  Click To Unmute

  Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

  Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerResident Evil 4 Adds Mercenaries and Microtransactions | GameSpot NewsFallout: New Vegas 2 Rumors Explained | GameSpotApril Xbox Game Pass Games Revealed | GameSpot NewsOver 15 Free Games To Claim In April | GameSpot NewsNew Witcher Game Plans Have Changed | GameSpot NewsElden Ring Death Count Revealed | GameSpot News

  Share

  LinkEmbed

  Size:640 × 360480 × 270

  Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

  Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

  Sign up or Sign in now!

  Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

  This video has an invalid file format.

  00:00:00

  HTML5

  Auto HD High Low

  Report a problem

  Sorry, but you can't access this content!

  

Please enter your date of birth to view this video
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900

  By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

  Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

  enter

  Now Playing: The Witcher Author Wants More Money From CD Projekt Red - GS News Update

  While it's not a lawsuit (yet), there is indication Sapkowski could turn this into one if CD Projekt Red doesn't come through. Meanwhile, the company said on its website that it was committed to keeping good relations with the authors of works that have inspired its 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," the studio added, also suggesting the $16 million sum is simply too much money.

  There are no further details at this point, but be sure to follow GameSpot for any updates. In other Witcher news, a spin-off RPG called Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales will be coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC via GOG later this month. The new game focuses on Meve, a queen of Lyria and Rivia, who is forced to go to war because of an impending Nilfgaardian invasion. The title is being described as a narrative-driven game with puzzles and card battle mechanics, similar to Gwent, and was was first announced as the single-player component for Gwent. It launches on October 23.

Comments
Welcome to zddgame comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zddgame.com All Rights Reserved