The author of The Witcher, Andrzej Sapkowski has settled the lawsuit against CD Projekt Red after getting additional royalties from the developer of the gaming series. Sapkowski earlier admitted that the previous deal he made when he sold the video game rights to CD Projekt Red was a decision made poorly.
According to a report from Polish new site, Puls Biznesu, Both parties have come to settlement agreement, where CD Projekt Red will pay out an undisclosed sum of money to Mr. Sapkowski but it was not for the full amount he initially wanted to obtain.
With the success of the gaming series, Mr. Sapkowski issued a demand for a bigger cut last year, asking $16 Million in additional royalties. CD Projekt Red rejected the request, stating that Sapkowski’s demands are groundless with regard to their merit as well as the stipulated amount.
It also further commented that the studio legally and legitimately acquired the rights to the property and all liabilities payable by the company in association therewith have been properly discharged.
On the one hand, it seems that the studio got the rights to the video game rights fair and square. But looking at how less it was sold off for, it does seem very unfair for the author. Especially after the gaming series has done so well.
At the time, the studio paid the author less than $10,000 for the rights back in the day. That was accepted by Mr. Sapkowski in a one-time lump sum payment instead of the option for ongoing royalties based on game sales. The author had made it clear on multiple occasions that he regretted his decision on this deal. It is no surprise, given that the Witcher series has sold so well.
Now that the lawsuit has been settled, it is unclear what the new amount or what grounds the settlement has been agreed upon. Specific details are up in the air in regards to the exact amounts. But hopefully, details will begin coming out soon.
What do you think of the settlement? Do you think CD Projekt Red did the right thing and settled the lawsuit? Post your comments below.
