Games Workshop has sued Ghamak for its 3D printable miniatures they claim are too close to Warhammer 40k. Here’s what is behind the claim and what it could mean for the hobby.
What started as a quiet copyright notice has turned into a full-blown legal battle (amid many others happening right now) that could reshape how we buy, print, and play with miniatures across the tabletop scene.
Let’s unpack what’s going on and why this matters to anyone in the hobby who has dabbled with 3D printing alternative Warhammer 40k models.
Games Workshop V. Ghamak: The Start of It All
GW and Ghamak comparison.
According to Francesco Pizzo, Ghamak’s lead designer, in early 2023, Games Workshop reached out to several creators about potential copyright concerns. Most were told to tweak or rename a few models that looked a little too close to official GW designs.
Ghamak, on the other hand, got a very different letter.
GW demanded that nearly their entire catalogue be deleted, thousands of models, claiming they infringed on Warhammer’s intellectual property. No list of offending models. No explanation. Just a sweeping demand and a contract that would’ve effectively ended Ghamak’s creative freedom going forward.
That’s a rough way to start a conversation.
Silence and Stalemate
GW and Ghamak comparison.
Ghamak didn’t storm off. They offered to remove or rework over 30% of their catalogue to meet GW halfway, hoping for an amicable fix. But after sending multiple letters, they got radio silence for almost a year.
When GW finally responded, they still didn’t identify which models were supposedly problematic. Instead, they moved straight to takedown attempts on Patreon and MyMiniFactory, platforms where Ghamak has built a strong following.
MyMiniFactory pushed back, saying GW hadn’t provided enough proof to justify a takedown. Then, in January 2025, the whole thing exploded into an official lawsuit.
A Different Kind of Lawsuit
GW and Ghamak comparison.
Here’s where things get wild: the lawsuit names over 1,000 models, but doesn’t actually accuse Ghamak of copyright infringement. Instead, it’s framed as “unfair competition.”
That’s a big deal. The argument, in short, is that making models “compatible” with Warhammer games is unfair, even if they don’t directly copy any designs.
If that idea sticks, it could wreck the entire 3D printing ecosystem. Every creator who makes alternate parts, proxy models, or thematic “counts-as” minis could suddenly be at risk. We’re talking everything from generic dwarves and skeletons to tanks and bug monsters being labeled as “counterfeit.”
GW is trying to say, they own every version of generic skeletons, dwarves, space warriors, etc…
That’s not just a Ghamak problem; that’s an industry problem.
Why the Community’s Fired Up Against Games Workshop
Gamers are already frustrated with Games Workshop’s track record on communication, pricing, and how they handle fan creativity. Between limited stock runs, digital paywalls, lore rewrites, and rising prices, the company’s goodwill has been thinning for a while.
3D printing filled that gap, letting hobbyists build, customize, and play their way without paying premium prices. Now, with this lawsuit, many see GW doubling down on control at the worst possible time.
The response? People are voting with their wallets. Ghamak’s fundraiser to fight back saw nearly €8,000 donated within hours of the news breaking.
That’s not small change; that’s a statement.
A Hobby at a Crossroads
This case could decide more than just one company’s future. It could define how far corporate IP reaches into the fan-driven side of the wargaming hobby. If GW wins on the idea that “compatibility” is illegal, it could choke out hundreds of independent sculptors who’ve helped make the modern tabletop scene as creative as it is.
For now, Ghamak is standing firm, fighting for the right to make models that fit into the wider gaming ecosystem without being branded as infringers.
Final Thoughts On Games Workshop V. Ghamak
Either way, we think, this fight isn’t just about one lawsuit. It’s about where the line is drawn between corporate control and community creativity.
If Games Workshop keeps pushing creators out instead of working with them, that tipping point everyone talks about might come faster than expected. Especially with a shaky economy and plenty of hobbyists already feeling burned.
Either way, something’s got to give. To us, it feels like more players are bailing on the Warhammer hobby than ever, and you can’t really blame them.
Between stock issues, rule chaos, and pricing blunders, Games Workshop’s missteps are starting to pile up.
The hype from Henry Cavill’s Amazon deal and the Space Marine 2 video game brought in a wave of new hobbyists, but now a lot of them can’t even get their armies built or on the table before the first Cavill show airs.
The message from the tabletop crowd is clear: support innovation, not intimidation. And right now, it looks like a lot of Warhammer 40k hobbyists are backing the little guy with their hobby dollars.
Support the Ghamak GoFundMe Here!
