Sony Vs. Church: The Holy War Continues
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After receiving complaints from the Church of England earlier this week regarding the apparent use of Manchester Cathedral as the setting of a bloody shootout in the PS3 launch title, 'Resistance: Fall of Man,' Sony has agreed to a sit down meeting with papal representatives to discuss the situation.
Meanwhile, in public, the company is sticking to its guns, as it were, claiming that nothing improper was done. Sony has not only said that "Many historical buildings are used in entertainment such as movies, including 'Godzilla' and 'The Tokyo Tower' and 'King Kong in Manhattan'," but also claims the church in 'Resistance' isn't necessarily Manchester Cathedral ... just some church that looks an awful lot like it.
According to a copyright lawyer consulted by Gamesindustry.biz, Sony is very much within its rights to feature the cathedral. U.K. copyright law states that "it is not copyright infringement to represent certain artistic works that are on public display." A cathedral, certainly, is on public display.
Public-display provision aside, copyright in the U.K. expires 70 years after the death of the creator. Given that construction on the cathedral began in 1215, it's highly unlikely that any of the creators are still around to put in a copyright claim -- that is unless you consider the "Big Guy" to be the architect.
From Newsvine and Gamesindustry.biz
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Linda Barksdale @ Sep 18th 2007 7:44PM
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Your comments: World, World, World, wake up! If Sony is so gung-ho on making video
games, why didn't they target a Buddist Temple, or a Muslim Temple!
Mr. Sony Executive, keep your dirty hands off things that represent
the Church, the Living God. One day you will have to answer to the
God Almighty, you really will have to answer to Him, and His Son
Jesus how you want to desecrate the things of God! princess301
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The Lone Wulf @ Sep 18th 2007 8:07PM
It's not an attack on god, Linda, it's a GAME. You know, that thing that people play in their spare time? I wish these religious types woult get off their high horse and respect other people's wishes. When they do that, this whole "You're attacking God" thing will die down.
Greg @ Sep 19th 2007 12:42AM
Good GOD, Linda. Calm down and get off your high horse. "Why not a Buddhist temple or a Muslim temple?!" ...A Muslim temple...you mean a Mosque?
And those would be better to use, why? God would punish them for using a church but not a mosque? Why? OH! Because according to idiots like you...YOU have the ONE TRUE God. Even though there's been a dozen religions saying the same exact thing for longer than your religion was ever cooked up.
Hmph. Agnostics unite, cuz apparently we're the only ones with brains in our heads anymore...
laura @ Nov 7th 2007 2:24PM
Greg do you know what to definition of agnostic is " A person who holds the view that any ultimate reality as "God" Is unknown and probable
laura @ Nov 8th 2007 2:09PM
Greg, I think you might want to use some critical thinking and view recent headlines. I can guarantee that if they used a Mosque( which is what Muslisms use not temple) That there would be violent retaliation. Not peaceful such as the church is doing. I think Linda is tired of people dishonoring her beliefs, and to degrade her is not only a sign of your lack of thought and intelligence, but maybe of your guilt as well. Everyone has a right to stand up for what they believe in, It is the American way.