YouTube Choreographer Sues Epic Games for Alleged Stolen Fortnite Emote

Epic Games faces another lawsuit as a YouTube choreographer is pressing charges against the video game developer for a “stolen” Fortnite emote/dance.

Choreographer Kyle Hanagami is taking legal actions against Epic Games for an alleged stolen dance move.

Fortnite’s “It’s Complicated” emote was believed to be copyrighted by Hanagami back in 2017. Hanagami stated that the emote’s resemblance to his dance move is “uncanny” and it showed exact similarity.

Side by side comparison of the choreography and Fortnite’s emote, Photo Courtesy of Polygon.com

The YouTube Choreographer filed a complaint on Tuesday in a federal court in the Central District of California. Basically, his allegations of Epic Games stealing the “hook” of his dance and using it as a Fortnite emote without his consent are what will hold up in court.

In the past, there were already 4 lawsuits against Epic Games, but all of them were either dropped or dismissed.

Hanagami is not the only one to sue Epic Games for an incident like this.

Additionally, back in 2018), a series of lawsuits on this exact topic was thrown out by the Supreme Court citing the idea that the entirety of a dance piece must be COPIED for it to infringe upon copyright.

Kyle Hanagami and his lawyers firmly believe that Epic Games copied his choreography. The dance he choreographed back in 2017 was for Charlie Puth’s song, “How Long”.

Hanagami’s Move, Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hanagami

If Hanagami’s side wins this, Epic Games will have to change their ways of making new emotes. Also, they will be paying fines and fees for legal damages to Kyle Hanagami.

What are your thoughts on the allegations against Epic Games? For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.  

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