CD Projekt Issues DMCA Strike Against Paid Cyberpunk VR Mod

A high-profile conflict has erupted between CD Projekt and prominent modder Luke Ross over a paid virtual reality modification for Cyberpunk 2077. The studio confirmed it issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) strike after Ross refused a request to make his work available for free.

The dispute centers on the monetization of game modifications and the legal definition of derivative works. While the developer supports the modding community, it maintains a strict policy against profiting from its intellectual property without explicit permission.

The conflict began when Jan Rosner, Vice President of Business Development at CD Projekt Red, publicly addressed the issue on social media. He explained that the company took action because the R.E.A.L. VR mod was locked behind a paid subscription, directly violating the studio's fan content guidelines.

Rosner detailed that the company had reached out to Ross the previous week with a clear ultimatum: either release the mod for free or remove it entirely. The studio emphasized that it is a supporter of modding, but draws a firm line at commercialization.

We never allow monetization of our IP without our direct permission and/or an agreement in place. We are big fans of mods to our games — some of the work out there has been nothing short of amazing.

According to a 2022 report, Ross generates approximately $20,000 per month from his Patreon, where he locks access to his VR conversions for various PC games.

Luke Ross responded forcefully to the DMCA claim, asserting that his software operates independently of the game's source code. He argued that his VR system, which supports over 40 different titles, does not contain any assets or code belonging to CD Projekt, and therefore cannot be classified as derivative work or fan content.

Ross compared his technology to hardware monitoring tools, suggesting that intercepting and processing visual data does not constitute copyright infringement. He proposed a collaborative solution, suggesting CD Projekt officially sanction his work rather than remove it.

I'm sorry but I don't believe you are within your rights in demanding that my software needs to be free. It is not 'derivative work' or 'fan content'... Saying that it infringes your IP rights is equivalent to maintaining for example that RivaTuner violates game publishers' copyrights.

Despite his arguments, Ross has since removed support for Cyberpunk 2077 from his mod, posting a farewell message to his patrons.

This is not the first time Luke Ross has faced legal pressure from a major game publisher. In July 2022, Take-Two Interactive issued similar DMCA notices against his VR mods for Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Ross expressed significant frustration regarding the timing and nature of CD Projekt's action. He noted that the studio had been unaware or indifferent to his mod's existence for four years, only acting after receiving a report. This comes amidst a difficult period for the VR industry, with Meta recently closing three major VR studios.

In a passionate post on his Patreon, Ross lamented the lack of appreciation for the work involved in keeping these mods functional through constant game updates.

• Four years of maintenance work
• Constant updates to keep mods alive
• Increased game sales for the developer
• No official VR port in development

The incident has ignited a debate across the gaming community regarding the legal boundaries of modding. It highlights the tension between developers protecting their intellectual property and the creative efforts of the modding community.

While Ross has ceased support for the Cyberpunk VR mod, he continues to develop and distribute modifications for other major titles. His portfolio currently includes VR conversions for Sony's Days Gone, FromSoftware's Elden Ring, and Ubisoft's Far Cry 5.

Looking forward, Ross has indicated he is shifting his focus to Larian's Baldur's Gate 3. However, the outcome of this dispute may set a precedent for how other studios approach the monetization of mods in the future.

The removal of the Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod marks a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about the rights of creators versus the rights of IP holders. It serves as a stark reminder that even non-intrusive modifications can face legal scrutiny when they involve financial transactions.

For now, players wishing to experience Night City in VR will have to look elsewhere, as the dispute leaves the door closed on what was a popular and immersive way to play the game. The situation underscores the fragile nature of third-party game enhancements in a landscape dominated by strict corporate policies.