Since Terrence Ferguson, aka rapper 2 Milly, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against game developer Epic Games last month, the debate surrounding copying a real-life dance move and turning it into a virtual good for sale has become a legal quagmire. Numerous other social media stars and celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon, including Fresh Prince actor Alfonso Ribeiro, aspiring hip-hop artist and floss dancer Backpack Kid, and most recently Orange Shirt Kid of viral YouTube fame.
Now, game developers are even pulling the dances from current titles, afraid of the potential legal risk. In the long term, the lawsuits may have a profound impact on both copyright law and the games industry. The cases could dictate whether dance moves constitute as protected works of choreography as well as whether game developers are liable for ripping them from pop culture as a way to earn money and stay relevant with fast-moving teenage audiences.
Apr 2, 2020, 2:24 PM UTCAdi Robertson
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Epic filed a legal complaint defending itself
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They should be refiled after the Copyright Office weighs in
Feb 27, 2019, 10:52 PM UTCAdi Robertson
Fortnite dance lawsuits are bad for copyright and bad for culture
Copyrighting dance steps isn’t a good idea
Feb 26, 2019, 8:45 PM UTCAdi Robertson
Epic is getting sued for putting the ‘Running Man’ dance in Fortnite
Two basketball players say they’re “synonymous” with the dance
Feb 19, 2019, 8:50 PM UTCAdi Robertson
Fortnite dance lawyer claims someone impersonated him to derail copyright lawsuits
Impersonator asked Copyright Office to drop ‘wreckless’ claims
Feb 15, 2019, 4:26 PM UTCAdi Robertson
The ‘Carlton dance’ couldn’t be copyrighted for a Fortnite lawsuit
Alfonso Ribeiro’s dance might be too simple to copyright
Jan 23, 2019, 9:41 PM UTCJulia Alexander
BlocBoy JB sues Epic Games over popular ‘Shoot’ dance emote
Joining a growing list of artists and celebrities
Jan 15, 2019, 9:10 PM UTCNick Statt
Forza Horizon 4 removes dance emotes at the center of ongoing Fortnite copyright lawsuits
Dance emotes are becoming legal risks
Dec 20, 2018, 1:55 PM UTCNick Statt
Fortnite keeps stealing dances — and no one knows if it’s illegal
Who owns the Milly Rock?
Dec 5, 2018, 11:58 PM UTCNick Statt
Epic Games is getting sued for turning rapper 2 Milly’s dance into a Fortnite emote
The debate around copyright and dance moves gets more complicated
