Sony's Copyright Enforcer MarkScan Targets Bloodborne Fan...

Sony's copyright enforcement entity, MarkScan, has been making headlines for its recent actions against fan-made Bloodborne projects. This includes shutting down a 60fps mod that had optimized the game's performance, and a PSX demake of the game that reimagined it for the original 1995 PlayStation. These actions have sparked debate within the gaming community about the balance between copyright enforcement and fan engagement.

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The Projects in Question

The projects targeted by MarkScan include a 60fps mod that allowed Bloodborne to run smoothly, and a fan-made PSX demake of the game by Lilith Walther. Walther's project was an homage to early PlayStation games and had been available for over three years before the copyright takedown notice was issued.

The Role of MarkScan

MarkScan is known for its aggressive copyright enforcement on behalf of companies like Sony, Amazon, Netflix, and more. It has previously made headlines for taking down World Cup sites that weren't even streaming the World Cup and asking Google to remove some of Sony's own websites. According to a Google transparency report, MarkScan submits millions of URL takedown requests, with around 47 percent of them being removed.

The Impact on Fan Engagement

The actions of MarkScan have raised questions about Sony's approach to fan engagement. While it's not surprising that Sony would want to protect its copyrighted names, the timing and severity of these actions have led to discussions about the balance between enforcing copyright and allowing fans to express their passion for the game.