Link writer dismisses complaint against Ubisoft “without prejudice.”
John L. Beiswenger, author of Link, has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Ubisoft. Beiswenger complained Ubisoft had infringed his copyrights, using ideas from Link in its popular Assassin’s Creed franchise. The case was dismissed without prejudice, which means that Beiswenger can reactivate the lawsuit in the future, should he wish. This follows on Beiswenger’s settlement with Gametrailers, Inc., on 18th May, pursuant to the same complaint. The details of that settlement have not been disclosed.
“I filed the Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction in federal court because I believe authors should vigorously defend their rights in their creative works,” said Beiswenger in an official statement. “Regrettably, the resources required to defend those rights are unavailable to many individual creators. As a result, rampant infringement is occurring with impunity.”
Beiswenger said that unrelated business issues had forced him to dismiss his complaint. The Voluntary Dismissal was filed at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on 29th May, 2012. A further statement from Beiswenger’s lawyers makes it clear that Beiswenger’s fundamental belief in his cause is unshaken. That statement alleged that Ubisoft had engaged in egregious acts of copyright infringement, and claimed that any court would find in their favor, should the matter come to trial. It was simply a matter of money, and Beiswenger didn’t have enough.
