14 DAY TRIAL // Epic Games, the developer behind massively successful franchises like Gears of War or Unreal Tournament, not to mention the ubiquitous Unreal Engine technology, has revealed its stance on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), saying that it doesn’t support the bill in its current form.
SOPA is a bill currently up for debate at the U.S. congress, which, if passed, could mean some serious problems for anyone remotely dealing with copyrighted content.
Among the biggest backers of the bill is the Entertainment Software Association, a group that represents the interests of a variety of video game companies, including Epic Games.
The studio has now posted an announcement about SOPA, stating that, while it’s a member of the ESA, which supports the bill, it doesn’t approve of the current draft, saying that changes are required to make it actually work.
“Some people have asked how Epic feels about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). This post is meant to provide answers. Epic Games supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games, but we have to do that in a way that's compatible with freedom of speech and due process of law,” said Epic Games’ Senior PR Manager, Dana Cowley.
“Thus, we do not support the current version of SOPA. We are members of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade organization that is working with legislators to refine the bill.”
Other video game companies have come under heat from fans because of their support for SOPA, including Sony, EA or Capcom, as well as the rest of the ESA’s members.
In order to alleviate customer concern, however, expect more and more companies to start publicly presenting their stance on the Stop Online Piracy Act.
Until then, the bill is still being debated, as a final decision upon it is going to be made when the U.S. Congress returns from its winter recess.