Author Topic: Cease & Desist Letter  (Read 176621 times)

ZeaLitY

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Cease & Desist Letter
« on: May 10, 2009, 12:23:42 am »
On May 8, we received a wide-reaching cease and desist letter from Square Enix, Inc. As with Chrono Trigger: Resurrection and Chrono Trigger Remake Project's letters, we have uploaded the letter for viewing here as a matter of public interest.

We have decided to comply with Square Enix's demands. Most of the Chrono Compendium webpages and forums will be unaffected by these changes. However, our compliance has the practical effect of ending the Compendium's support for ROM modification projects of any kind, with regard to copyrighted Square Enix works such as Chrono Trigger, Radical Dreamers, and Chrono Cross. We have already destroyed all known copies of Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes and other modifications and projects. We have also shut down and made inaccessible any discussion boards used for the development of ROM-hacking fan projects on this website, including:

* Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes
* Chrono Trigger: Prophet's Guile
* Retranslation of Chrono Trigger
* Chrono Trigger Re-amped
* Chrono Trigger Rebirth
* Chrono Trigger Azala Style

Affected parties may contact the administration in private if there is any personal information they wish to retrieve from the deprecated forums.

We do not accept the validity of Square Enix's claims, nor the legal rationale underpinning their position. Nonetheless, we are complying with their demands so as to avoid the expenses and burdens of litigation, because, frankly, they can afford a frivolous lawsuit more than we can.

We thank all those who have been involved in the affected projects for their spirited energy over the years, and we look forward to the day when non-profit, fan-made projects will be properly recognized as a fan-base boon and marketing opportunity tool, rather than silenced as innocent victims of prohibitively interpreted copyright law.

Sincerely,

ZeaLitY and the Chrono Compendium Staff
« Last Edit: May 10, 2009, 01:41:29 am by ZeaLitY »

FaustWolf

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2009, 12:29:18 am »
ZEALITY: Storing links here:

http://www.x-cult.org/newsx/comments.php?id=202
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/12/0643208
http://digg.com/gaming_news/Square_Enix_Sends_C_D_Order_to_Popular_Chrono_Trigger_Site
http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/8je53/98_complete_chrono_trigger_fan_sequel_rom_mod/
http://forums.lostlevels.org/viewtopic.php?t=2029
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361226
http://forums.qj.net/general-gaming-discussion/150661-chrono-compendium-projects-receive-c-d-square.html
http://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?showtopic=15207
http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,8582.0
http://www.oneupstudios.com/boards/showthread.php?t=5684
http://kagerostudios.b1.jcink.com/index.php?showtopic=328
http://s14.zetaboards.com/ChronoCrisis/topic/6564639/
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=563538&topic=49443778
http://current.com/items/90037659_square-enix-crushes-nearly-completed-chrono-trigger-fan-project.htm
http://www.gamer.nl/doc/51542/Square-Enix-roept-officieuze-Chrono-Trigger-2-halt-toe
http://www.nintendo-online.de/news/4100/square-enix-stoppt-chrono-trigger-fanprojekt/
http://elhabib.at/2009/05/11/square-enix-dreht-chrono-trigger-fan-mod-den-hahn-ab/
http://kotaku.com/5249897/square-enix-putting-the-squeeze-on-chrono-trigger-fan-projects#c12748465
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91635-Square-Shuts-Down-Fan-Made-Chrono-Game
http://ds.kombo.com/article.php?artid=7141
http://www.destructoid.com/square-enix-shuts-down-chrono-fan-game-crimson-echoes-131702.phtml
http://www.game-focus.com/?nav=new&nid=11455
http://www.lienmultimedia.com/article.php3?id_article=20273
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/square-enix-pulls-the-trigger-on-chrono-trigger-fan-projects/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10240371-1.html
http://ds.qj.net/Square-Enix-cracks-down-on-Chrono-Trigger-fan-projects-including-Crimson-Echoes/pg/49/aid/131274
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090512/1548144849.shtml
http://www.generation-nt.com/chrono-trigger-crimson-echoes-projet-amateur-rom-hack-actualite-738761.html
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/05/square-enix-kills-near-complete-chrono-trigger-fan-project/

To lift an apropos quote from CE:

"When a citizen of Zeal is faced with
trying something majestic or playing
it safe, we choose to try.

The Dream of Zeal is Alive!"

Chrono fandom stood tall and shook the heavens once again. However this turns out, one thing is for sure -- we have communicated to Square Enix that a dedicated fan base exists for new Chrono works, and therefore a profitable market. And we know that they're aware.

While I entertain a slight hope that E3 will see Square Enix unveiling a new Chrono game, I personally suspect this C&D was a measure to protect the long-run profitability of CT:DS. The one thing that separates CE from Prophet's Guile - besides larger scale - is the existence of the rerelease. How ironic that CE contained an advertisement for CT:DS as soon as the player booted it up.

I was really fortunate to be tangentially involved in CE production while it lasted.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2009, 04:34:36 am by ZeaLitY »

Romana

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2009, 12:35:20 am »
It was admirable and inspirational, the work of Kajar Labs won't be forgotten.

It's a sad day, but the dream and passion lives on. Goodnight, Crimson Echoes.

nightmare975

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2009, 12:38:43 am »
You're fucking kidding me.

Welp, I'm done. Consider this my formal goodbye

For real.

And let me say that it was an honor working here while I could.

So long Compendium, so long Crono and gang (Serge too).

I'll see you on the dark side...

-Josh Bender

ZeaLitY

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2009, 12:38:55 am »
In recognition for his unbelievably awesome contributions to the Compendium, even though they won't see the light of day, JP is now the Guru of Life. Well-deserved.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 11:57:59 pm by FaustWolf »

justin3009

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2009, 12:40:55 am »
Wow...I'm..Wow.  I'm really depressed now.  Just wow..

Mitchr90

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2009, 12:41:44 am »
that's really quite sad that so many projects were affected from this
im sure this helps SE know that there is still a strong fanbase for the chrono series, but at the same time i feel like they wont act upon it in any such manner.
I don't know much about these types of situations but from what i've seen SE have ceased very many fan projects related to the chrono series, maybe by now they realize that if many fans can create possibly enjoyable chrono related games than maybe there's still enough space left for another game in the series.

I still hate to think that SE would write a letter like that and not even apologize or feel any remorse for the amount of hard work and dedication that become wasted when things like this happens.
sadface

Zephira

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2009, 12:45:42 am »
Cheers to JP for dedicating so much time to CE, and to the rest of the CE dream team for being so talented!
My only regret is that the rest of the community didn't get to play this. Beta testing for this - while a huge time eater - was one of the most fund experiences I've had all year. The whole team was great and open to criticism, the game itself was amazing, challenging, and beautiful. I am certain everyone on that team will make great additions to a full-fledged gaming studio someday.

Cheers to Crimson Echoes!
Cheers to Kajar!
The labs may be gone, but the dream shall live on! You will never be forgotten!
« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 11:58:17 pm by FaustWolf »

FaustWolf

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2009, 12:45:56 am »
JP's work on CE was nothing short of astounding. He was literally working on it between flights. And during flights! Truly an awesome, international man of mystery.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 11:57:27 pm by FaustWolf »

vivify93

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2009, 12:48:01 am »
Hmm, let's see... Does this affect me in any way?

*looks to see if Kajar Labs is still there*

Yep, it's gone. Supporting Justin's Schala Project was really the only reason I was here, so, uh...

Yeah.

Justin, feel free to keep the fonts. I believe FaustWolf as well asked for my rendition of the mini-Chicago font as well? You can keep that. I'm out.

"You guys are a riot a minute! Time to shove off!"
« Last Edit: May 10, 2009, 12:56:34 am by vivify93 »

ZeaLitY

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2009, 12:49:41 am »
We need some time to pick out the innocent threads of Kajar Laboratories. Eventually, that forum will be restored, minus ROM stuff.

Acacia Sgt

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2009, 12:50:39 am »
So... it really came.

To have come this far, only to end like this...

Farewell, Crimson Echoes. Though now gone, you will never be forgotten.

Uboa

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2009, 12:52:06 am »
I now have more disgust for Square Enix than I ever, ever did for the RIAA.  Kajar Labs was always such a treat to browse, even though I never got to be involved with any projects.  Honestly, it evoked a deep sense of child-like wonder.  I never imagined it would end this way, at least not all of it.  This is a very sad day.

Consider them boycotted.  I'll never buy another SE title.

vivify93

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2009, 12:52:19 am »
We need some time to pick out the innocent threads of Kajar Laboratories. Eventually, that forum will be restored, minus ROM stuff.
Right, but Justin's Schala Project won't be restored, as it was a ROM hack. So, I'll be leaving in any case. As I said, that was the main reason I was here--hell, the only reason I was here.

Shame, really-I was looking to befriend a few pople on here, Princess Schala Zeal in particular.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2009, 12:57:26 am by vivify93 »

FaustWolf

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Re: Cease & Desist Letter
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2009, 12:53:26 am »
Say, did everyone get to see what they're missing out on? We'll probably do a "thanks for your support!" video deal like CT:Resurrection did, but for now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrbvCGyCKM

But that only covers CE; it's too bad everything was taken all in one fell swoop.

Thanks for the memories.