Bungie’s legal entanglements have seen a resolution as the company settles a copyright lawsuit with author Matthew Kelsey Martineau. Martineau accused Bungie of using storylines from his WordPress works, published between 2013 and 2014, in Destiny 2’s Red War campaign and the Red Legion.
Bungie’s Battle in Court
Last year, Martineau filed the lawsuit, claiming Bungie infringed on his copyright. Though Bungie attempted to dismiss the case by arguing a lack of originality in Martineau’s claims, they couldn’t provide direct evidence. The content in question is part of Destiny 2’s vaulted material, making it inaccessible both to the public and the current game infrastructure.
Judicial Challenges and Settlement
Unable to use YouTube gameplay videos or wiki content as evidence, Bungie’s dismissal was denied by Judge Susie Morgan. This led to an extended discovery phase, eventually resulting in a settlement. The court’s filing confirmed the successful negotiation, though the settlement terms remain undisclosed. Both parties have a 60-day period to adhere to the terms or potentially reopen the case.
With this settlement, Bungie removes one legal hurdle as it faces challenges with Destiny 2’s performance in the market.