[UPDATE 1:18 pm AEDT 1/4/19] – Evidence has come to light that suggests the artist falsified the images and that Epic has done no wrong. More information here.
[UPDATE 8:45 am AEDT 1/4/19] – An Epic Games Spokesperson has responded to our request for comment and said, “We take these claims seriously and are in the process of investigating them.”
More as we have it.
An artist who posts their work on DeviantArt has accused Epic Games of stealing one of her designs for a Fortnite skin. The Taro skin was released in November 2018 as part of the Storm Familiars Set.
Yesterday, DeviantArtist Endercast/Elecast/Shaderway (Ruby Ramirez) posted on Facebook claiming that Epic had stolen her character design to create the Taro Skin. You can see her Facebook post below.
Stolen Fortnite Skin?
According to Google Translate her post reads;
Help. Fortnite took out a skin almost identical to my burrito and now I can not use it without being told to copy it.
If you’re an “intellectual” wanting to be like a complete idiot better get out of here, they are disgusting.
By the way, I did not do it for Fortnite, it’s one more character than the thousands I have, do not tell me that bullshit.
The allegations were brought to wider notice by a Tweet from another artist using DeviantArt.
At the time of writing, Epic Games hasn’t responded to the allegations, but we’ve reached out to them for comment.
In DeviantArt’s Terms of Service, point four reads;
4. Copyright
DeviantArt is, unless otherwise stated, the owner of all copyright and data rights in the Service and its contents. Individuals who have posted works to DeviantArt are either the copyright owners of the component parts of that work or are posting the work under license from a copyright owner or his or her agent or otherwise as permitted by law.
You may not reproduce, distribute, publicly display or perform, or prepare derivative works based on any of the Content including any such works without the express, written consent of DeviantArt or the appropriate owner of copyright in such works. (emphasis added)
DeviantArt does not claim ownership rights in your works or other materials posted by you to DeviantArt (Your Content). You agree not to distribute any part of the Service other than Your Content in any medium other than as permitted in these Terms of Service or by use of functions on the Service provided by us.
You agree not to alter or modify any part of the Service unless expressly permitted to do so by us or by use of functions on the Service provided by us.
Across her accounts, Ramirez has posted images of the same or similar character as early as 2017.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
