5 ms·

IKEA Asks Horror Game to Change So Folks Stop IKEA Comparisons

22 points by ohjeez 4y ago

edude03 4y ago
I'm disappointed by not surprised, given that IKEA would win simply by out spending him. In cases like this is there the equivalent of a public defender to prevent large corporations winning by default?
- frosted-flakes 4y ago
  Why are you disappointed? This seems like a pretty clear-cut case for IKEA, in my opinion.
  - soulofmischief 4y ago
    You'd have to convince me that this doesn't fall under fair use given the lack of trademark use.
  - Rebelgecko 4y ago
    Funnily enough I thought it was a pretty clear-cut case for the game, as a parody of the Ikea shopping experience. The trademarks that the game is allegedly infringing on (the colors blue and yellow on signs with Scandinavian words) are the same sorts of things you'd see in a Grand Theft Auto game (eg the Swedish furniture store Krapea). IMO the game isn't going to be confused with an actual Ikea product by a reasonable person.
bennysonething 4y ago
It's a load of free publicity for the developer. They might be pleased !
- lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
  Among the first of my thoughts upon learning of the game is that it sounds fun. :)
deleted 4y ago
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throwawayikea 4y ago
Although I'd usually hate to side with a corporation like IKEA, it seems that in this case the Indie Dev got into this issue themselves: their game is clearly based on SCP-3008[1][2], which is quite literally based on an IKEA store: * "SCP-3008 is a large retail unit previously owned by and branded as IKEA, a popular furniture retail chain." * "SCP-3008-1 is a space resembling the inside of an IKEA furniture store, extending far beyond the limits of what could physically be contained within the dimensions of the retail unit." * "SCP-3008-2 are humanoid entities that exist within SCP-3008-1. [...] They possess no facial features and in all observed cases wear a yellow shirt and blue trousers consistent with the IKEA employee uniform." And although the SCP Lore and all it's content is licensed under the "Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0", the copyrighted/trademarked material within it is not, such as the IKEA brand. [1] https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3008 https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3008 [2] https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ziggygamedev/the-store-is-closed-infinite-furniture-store-survival-game https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ziggygamedev/the-store-...
- lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
  Indeed, that does seem to be the case. The opening shot of the game play footage they have on their website[0] does the developer no favors (nor does the rest of the video). [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK5wPE-aQwc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK5wPE-aQwc
- sdflhasjd 4y ago
  I agree that it's clearly intended to model an IKEA store. I don't agree that the developer should desist for this reason, as it's also clear that it isn't a product, or endorsed by IKEA - and I think a reasonable person would agree. This game, IMO, should be protected by some right to parody, because it's clearly the experience of IKEA shopping that the SCP - and subsequently the game - is trying to satirize. Just another case of corporate bullying.
- unethical_ban 4y ago
  If someone made a game where they hold up in a burger joint that had some creepy clown standing in the corner and a red bucket of fries on the menu, would McDonalds have a moral or legal right to stop that piece of art from being released? Ikea thinks their shit doesn't stink. If he didn't use Ikea art assets in the game and didn't call the store Ikea, then Ikea should really get over themselves.

22 points by ohjeez 4y ago

I'm disappointed by not surprised, given that IKEA would win simply by out spending him. In cases like this is there the equivalent of a public defender to prevent large corporations winning by default?

frosted-flakes 4y ago
Why are you disappointed? This seems like a pretty clear-cut case for IKEA, in my opinion.
- soulofmischief 4y ago
  You'd have to convince me that this doesn't fall under fair use given the lack of trademark use.
- Rebelgecko 4y ago
  Funnily enough I thought it was a pretty clear-cut case for the game, as a parody of the Ikea shopping experience. The trademarks that the game is allegedly infringing on (the colors blue and yellow on signs with Scandinavian words) are the same sorts of things you'd see in a Grand Theft Auto game (eg the Swedish furniture store Krapea). IMO the game isn't going to be confused with an actual Ikea product by a reasonable person.

bennysonething 4y ago

It's a load of free publicity for the developer. They might be pleased !

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
Among the first of my thoughts upon learning of the game is that it sounds fun. :)

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

throwawayikea 4y ago

Although I'd usually hate to side with a corporation like IKEA, it seems that in this case the Indie Dev got into this issue themselves: their game is clearly based on SCP-3008[1][2], which is quite literally based on an IKEA store: * "SCP-3008 is a large retail unit previously owned by and branded as IKEA, a popular furniture retail chain." * "SCP-3008-1 is a space resembling the inside of an IKEA furniture store, extending far beyond the limits of what could physically be contained within the dimensions of the retail unit." * "SCP-3008-2 are humanoid entities that exist within SCP-3008-1. [...] They possess no facial features and in all observed cases wear a yellow shirt and blue trousers consistent with the IKEA employee uniform." And although the SCP Lore and all it's content is licensed under the "Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0", the copyrighted/trademarked material within it is not, such as the IKEA brand. [1] https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3008 https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3008 [2] https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ziggygamedev/the-store-is-closed-infinite-furniture-store-survival-game https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ziggygamedev/the-store-...

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
Indeed, that does seem to be the case. The opening shot of the game play footage they have on their website[0] does the developer no favors (nor does the rest of the video). [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK5wPE-aQwc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK5wPE-aQwc
sdflhasjd 4y ago
I agree that it's clearly intended to model an IKEA store. I don't agree that the developer should desist for this reason, as it's also clear that it isn't a product, or endorsed by IKEA - and I think a reasonable person would agree. This game, IMO, should be protected by some right to parody, because it's clearly the experience of IKEA shopping that the SCP - and subsequently the game - is trying to satirize. Just another case of corporate bullying.
unethical_ban 4y ago
If someone made a game where they hold up in a burger joint that had some creepy clown standing in the corner and a red bucket of fries on the menu, would McDonalds have a moral or legal right to stop that piece of art from being released? Ikea thinks their shit doesn't stink. If he didn't use Ikea art assets in the game and didn't call the store Ikea, then Ikea should really get over themselves.