Gearbox Software controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Duke Nukem music-use lawsuit settled
Settlement
A lawsuit by composer Bobby Prince alleging that his music was used without permission in Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour was settled between Prince, Gearbox, 3D Realms and Apogee Software. 3D Realms said a license was inadvertently overlooked when it sold Gearbox the Duke Nukem catalog; the settlement terms were not disclosed.
Company response
Clarification — 3D Realms
After review by counsel, a licence with Bobby was inadvertently overlooked by 3D Realms when we sold Gearbox the Duke Nukem catalog.
Source excerpt
composer Bobby Prince filed a lawsuit claiming his music was used without permission.
After review by counsel, a licence with Bobby was inadvertently overlooked by 3D Realms when we sold Gearbox the Duke Nukem catalog.
Now, after plenty of back and forth discussions, the lawsuit has been settled between Prince, Gearbox, 3D Realms and Apogee Software.
2020
Gearbox and other parties settle Duke Nukem music dispute
Settlement
Gearbox Software, Bobby Prince, Apogee Software, 3D Realms and other parties reached a settlement concerning music in the Duke Nukem series. The settlement terms were not disclosed; court filings indicated that the third-party plaintiffs and defendants would pay their own legal fees.
Source excerpt
Gearbox Software, Bobby Prince, Randy Pitchford, Apogee Software, and 3D Realms have all reached a settlement on a court battle over the music in the Duke Nukem series.
Though the terms of this settlement were not disclosed, court filings indicate that all third-party plaintiffs and defendants -- Gearbox Software, Apogee, Action Entertainment, and Apogee co-owners Scott Miller and George Broussard -- will pay their own legal fees.
2019
Bobby Prince sues Gearbox and Valve over royalties
Lawsuit filed
In a 2019 legal dispute, composer Bobby Prince sued Gearbox Software and Valve over allegedly unpaid royalties related to Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. The reported claim concerns royalty payments connected to the game. The available report does not establish that a court has reached a determination in the matter. The dispute is recorded as a controversy involving Gearbox Software and Valve, with Bobby Prince as the plaintiff. No further details on the proceedings or their outcome are provided in the source summary.
Composer Bobby Prince is suing Gearbox and Valve over allegedly unpaid royalties related to Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. The article does not establish a court determination.
Source excerpt
Bobby Prince, is suing Gearbox, Randy Pitchford and even Valve claiming that his music was used without permission.
The lawsuit claims that 16 songs written by Prince for Duke Nukem in 1996 were re-used in the 2016 re-release.
Court documents were filed this week and posted online by Bloomberg.
2014
Aliens: Colonial Marines class action lawsuit
Gearbox and its chief executive became involved in litigation concerning Aliens: Colonial Marines. Randy Pitchford disputed allegations and argued that responsibility for the game’s marketing and advertising claims rested with the publisher, while also stating that Gearbox had incurred substantial costs on the project.