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Dev Asserts Ownership Of CID The Dummy IP Amid Asset Purchase Controversy
by Kris Graft [PC, Console/PC]
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October 19, 2009
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On Monday, Italian developer Twelve Interactive asserted its ownership of the IP CID the Dummy, after the assets of the game's ailing publisher, Oxygen Games, were purchased this month by OG International.
A statement from Twelve Interactive said, "It has recently come to light that OG International Limited has purported to obtain certain rights in the game from Oxygen, and Twelve considers that it is necessary to make all retailers and distributors aware that Oxygen is and was not entitled to transfer any rights in the the game nor any stock of it."
Twelve Interactive elaborated, "Earlier this year Twelve terminated its agreement with Oxygen Interactive Software Limited due to its failure to pay sums that were properly due in respect of the CID the Dummy game. ... OG International therefore has no right to sell or otherwise deal in the game."
In mid-October, distribution company OG International said that it purchased the assets of UK-based Oxygen games, which previously went into administration and was in danger of having to cut all of its staff. OG International was founded by Oxygen Games CEO Jim Scott, who hired much of Oxygen's staff into the new company.
According to reports from UK websites, including GamesIndustry.biz, creditors for the defunct Oxygen Games are upset because it's unclear how they will get paid in the wake of the publisher's administration dealings.
Twelve founder Giuseppe Crugliano stated, "Many people are very disappointed at what happened with Oxygen but it is one thing for a company not to pay you -- it is quite another if that company then sells your work to another company when it has no right to do so."
"If you then consider the other special circumstances of this case you can understand our frustration," he continued. "CID is our game and our IP. We are very proud of our work and committed to making sure that other people respect our rights in it. At present we do not have a distributor or publisher and are very keen to speak with reputable companies across Europe who share our vision to continue to make the game a success."
Twelve said it hired UK media lawyers Sheridans to help in the matter.
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