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The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski wants to get 60 Million zlotys ($16 million) in additional royalties from CD Projekt Red, but the studio has decided to politely decline.
In a post on the company’s website, CD Projekt states that the company hopes to reach some resolution with Sapkowski, but the team won’t share any extra cash as it acquired the rights to the franchise legitimately and legally.
Here is a piece of the statement:
In the Company’s opinion the demands expressed in the notice are groundless with regard to their merit as well as the stipulated amount. The Company had legitimately and legally acquired copyright to Mr. Andrzej Sapkowski’s work, i.a. insofar as is required for its use in games developed by the Company. All liabilities payable by the Company in association therewith have been properly discharged.
It is the Company’s will to maintain good relations with authors of works which have inspired CD PROJEKT RED’s own creations. Consequently, the Board will go to great lengths to ensure amicable resolution of this dispute; however, any such resolution must be respectful of previously expressed intents of both parties, as well as existing contracts.
CD Projekt Red
Sapkowski sold the rights to his book series to CD Projekt back in 1997, and turned down a profit-sharing agreement at the time. Yes, that wasn’t a smart move.
The novelist stated that he took the cash offer because he didn’t believe anyone would actually buy the game.
“They offered me a percentage of their profits. I said, ‘No, there will be no profit at all – give me all my money right now. The whole amount,” he said in a Eurogamer interview. “It was stupid. I was stupid enough to leave everything in their hands because I didn’t believe in their success. But who could foresee their success? I couldn’t.”
Make sure to share your thoughts on the whole situation in the comments below.