Charlie the Unicorn Creator Slams MultiVersus for Unauthorized Use

Charlie the Unicorn Creator Calls Out Warner Bros. for Alleged Music Copyright Infringement

Jason Steele, the creator of the beloved animated short, Charlie the Unicorn, has fired back at Warner Bros. for allegedly using audio from his viral internet sensation in a new advertisement for the upcoming game, MultiVersus, without permission.

The teaser, initially posted on social media and later deleted, showcased Reindog’s Unicorndog skin, complete with the caption "We’re going to Candy Kingdom to get the new Unicorndog Variant, Charlie!" Accompanying the video were three Unicorndogs, eerily similar to the three unicorns in Steele’s original work, featuring audio directly taken from his iconic short.

"It’s one thing for a fan to use my work in a non-commercial project. I’ve given explicit permission for this before and will continue to do so. However, I will never go after an individual for using clips from my work for something like a YouTube or TikTok video, or a Twitch alert. People should be allowed to use and remix art!" Steele emphasized.

Steele highlighted that while it’s not uncommon for creators to see references to their work in big-budget projects, he feels that Warner Bros. went too far by exploiting his intellectual property without permission.

"I’ve seen a number of references to my work in big-company projects before. For example, there’s a dead unicorn with an enchanted kidney named Charlie in World of Warcraft. This is fine! It’s completely within fair-use laws. Using my audio directly is not fair use," he stressed.

What’s the Next Move?

The controversy surrounding MultiVersus has had a long and tumultuous development journey since its open beta in 2022. As the game shifts its focus towards mobile and free-to-play titles, Warner Bros. acquired Player First Games earlier this year.

Key Questions

• Will Jason Steele’s case against Warner Bros. set a new precedent for intellectual property rights in the gaming industry?
• How will this impact the delicate balance between creative freedom and commercial licensing in the entertainment industry?
• What does the future hold for the gaming community, as developers continue to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property rights and fair use?

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as we explore the world of gaming, media, and beyond.