CD Projekt recently confirmed it has filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) infringement notice against a paid "Cyberpunk 2077" VR mod. The action was taken after the mod's creator reportedly refused the developer's request to make the project available for free, reigniting a long-standing industry debate over whether mods constitute derivative works and if they can be commercialized.
The mod, known as R.E.A.L. VR, was created by VR mod developer Luke Ross and offered for download behind a Patreon paywall.
Jan Rosner, VP of Business Development at CD Projekt Red, stated that while the company consistently supports the creative energy of its player community, it cannot accept any form of monetization of its intellectual property without authorization.
The developer had previously contacted Ross, requesting that he either make the mod free and accept voluntary donations, or remove it entirely. After Ross reportedly failed to comply, CD Projekt proceeded with legal action.
Ross, however, strongly refuted the official stance, arguing that his VR system is independent software that uses no game code or assets and should not be considered fan-made content or a derivative work. He emphasized that the system supports games across various engines, functioning more like a screen capture or performance tool rather than directly modifying or redistributing game content. Ross also called for both parties to seek a more constructive resolution, such as official recognition or even a collaboration.
Following the escalating controversy, Ross announced he would cease support for the "Cyberpunk 2077" VR mod and remove related content from Patreon. He asserted that game companies are overextending the definition of "derivative works," overlooking the value mods bring to player experience, and failing to acknowledge community contributions to game sales and longevity.
This isn't the first time Ross has faced a DMCA complaint; in 2022, Take-Two Interactive took similar action against his VR mods for "Grand Theft Auto V" and "Red Dead Redemption 2."