This week as been quite tumultuous for Epic Games and Fortnite. The publisher is currently suing both Google and Apple for banning Fortnite from their respective stores. While there are many who would argue that Epic shouldn’t be treated as an unsung hero daring to challenge these corporations (with the main point that Epic is also a big corporation), Epic has arguably managed to keep control of the narrative and paint itself as a victim in many fans’ eyes.
However, at what is possibly the worst time for it to happen, Epic is now being sued itself for trademark infringement. This isn’t even the first time Fortnite has come under fire for purportedly stealing other peoples’ work. In the past, there have been several lawsuits against it for incorporating dance moves without crediting the original creators.
This time, though, the accusations come from a Florida-based tourist attraction called Coral Castle Museum. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Epic had recently added a new POI in Fortnite called Coral Castle, which is meant to be an Atlantis substitute to tie in with Aquaman’s appearance in the game.
Allegedly, construction began in 1928 by Latvian-American Edward Leedskalnin, who then spent 28 years working on the structure after he moved to America, following being rejected by his fiancee one day before their wedding, until his death in 1951.
The museum, which has been described as “Florida’s Stonehenge,” claims that the Fortnite Coral Castle is a clear violation of the trademark and believe Epic not only took the name but has deliberately copied it, saying that both versions “evoke the feeling of a centuries old mysterious place.” Other commonalities include “nautical/beach motifs, castle structures, partial castle walls, and stone objects.”
While there are certainly similarities between the two, it’s difficult to say whether said similarities were intentional on Epic’s part or if this is simply a coincidence. Regardless, Coral Castle Museum is seeking monetary damages, as well as that Epic remove Coral Castle from the game.
Epic has yet to comment on the lawsuit and is likely more preoccupied with the Google/Apple lawsuits. Though said lawsuits don’t appear to be affecting support for the game, as Epic recently announced the Last Laugh bundle, which is set to release this November for console versions of the game.
Said bundle features another DC Comics crossover, with both the Joker and Poison Ivy making appearances as new skins, as well as some additional cosmetics.
Fortnite is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
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