From these rumors, it looks like Games Workshop is set to issue a new statement on how they will approach their IP in regards to fan films soon.
Before we go further, as we have said many times, GW has the right to protect its IP. Especially when you look that a large portion of their profits this year came from licensing deals.
With that said, we would love to see them not have as heavy of a hand as they tend to do. While we didn’t see any actually proof of GW actually attacking any artists- most just voluntarily quit after seeing the updated IP rules from earlier this year. Perhaps it was more the way GW went about updating their IP statement (in regards to animations etc) than the actual action.
Let’s take a look at some of the issues facing GW and its IP, then check out the latest statement.
Where GW Fan Creativity Ends & IP Infringement Starts
A big issue, when it comes to either Warhammer or video games, is the fact that the companies don’t want people confused as to what is a licensed product and what is not. If you or anyone creates something that is close enough or uses copyrighted images, it can be confusing to consumers.
That’s generally when companies step in, well unless it could fall under the realm of fair use which generally does not cover commercial uses, (but does apply to things like news, education, criticism (but sometimes not specifically satire, etc).
According to Google Fair Use is defined as the following:
(in US copyright law) the doctrine that brief excerpts of copyright material may, under certain circumstances, be quoted verbatim for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, teaching, and research, without the need for permission from or payment to the copyright holder.
Because if people can just use a company’s copyrighted images, the company loses tons of intrinsic and actual value. That seems obvious right? But, that’s just the most obvious point. If you create a one-to-one product, you must know the copyright claim is coming. If you write a book, even if it’s fan-fiction, and you use copyrighted images to market it, you can probably expect a claim on the way.
That’s the easy stuff though, with Warhammer Plus and 3d printing on the rise, it gets far more complex.
The Warhammer Plus IP Infringement Conundrum
This is really where things get tough. Let’s look back at the video game side of things. when someone made an Unreal Engine 4-remake of Goldeneye 64, the chances it seeing the light of day were basically zero.
But, how many videos have you seen online about Nintendo games where people dress as Mario, Luigi, etc… Those videos don’t often get taken down. Why? Because it’s not direct competition with Nintendo because they do not have a platform that makes money from videos.
Guess who does have a platform that makes money from Warhammer-focused animations? That’s right, GW does.
While they did hire a lot of animators, there are plenty left out there. GW did update their IP rules to be harsher on YouTubers, they haven’t taken too much action yet as far as we can tell.
But because they are now in direct competition with animators, that will force more and more copyright claims as they try to corner the market, protect their IP, and provide value to their licensed partners and stockholders.
Games Workshop Set to Issue IP Statement on Fan Films Soon
This rumor comes from a member of the B&C who was supposedly on an investor call. The CEO mentioned according to them, that they realized they may not have handled the situation in the best way possible.
So it looks like Games Workshop may actually be trying to find a common ground perhaps in regards to their IP content creators.
So what happened on the call? The CEO said he understood they handled the issue clumsily- which created a large backlash from the community that persists to this day.
Currently on a call with Games Workshop management where the backlash from the IP policy was brought up. CEO admitted that they enacted the new policy ‘a bit clumsily’.
Stated that they only wrote to two people in regards to copyright takedowns and all other claims had no truth in them.
He then went on to say that there will be a new statement regarding fan films etc before Christmas.
If you remember, people were calling for a boycott basically because of the fallout of this and Warhammer Plus. So obviously, the approach was clumsy. Allegedly the CEO then said that they only ever wrote 2 people about copyright claims, the rest of the people claiming GW contacted them is false.
Shockingly he then went on to say there will be a new statement on how they will handle IP before Christmas. Which is a complete reversal from how they just updated their IP policy page in the dark of night and walked away.
Even for GW who produces shorts like James Workshop etc that are funny and cheeky, they just literally decided to be super passive-aggressive about the update all those months ago.
As we all know now, that was potentially a big mistake for both customer engagement and their stock price.
We’ll have to see what the new statement looks like, but this at least shows GW is somewhat listening to the community. It doesn’t mean they will allow people to make money on the IP, but it might mean they are more relaxed and not worried about fair use. We’ll say it one last time, Games Workshop has the right to protect their IP, but them listening to the community is also good thing.
Let’s hope the new statement is favorable for the content creators out there, and investors who are most likely concerned about the recent drop in stock price.
Games Workshop was great once, and they will be great again.
However, it may only happen when they actually start providing real value, and stop relying on incessant FOMO and Paywalls to milk hobbyists for every last dollar among other things…
Here are more articles on the issues that Games Workshop is facing now as their stock has dipped and investors have taken notice:
- Everything You Need To Know About Warhammer Plus
- Games Workshop NDA Leak More Damaging Than Their IP Policy
- YouTubers Have Started Attacking Warhammer TV
- Boycotts Don’t Work, Do This Instead to Games Workshop
- Lookout YouTube, GW Just Updated Their IP Guidelines
- Where GW Fan Creativity Ends & IP Infringement Starts
- News of the GW ‘Fan Revolt’ has Hit Wall Street
- Games Workshop Announces Profits Are Down (Here’s Why)
Do you think GW at least addressing the IP versus public opinion issue is a good thing?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
