We've freed Cookie's Bustle from copyright hell

4 hours ago

Cookie’s Bustle is a cult Japanese computer game from 1999 with a bizarre plot involving a 5-year-old girl in an international sports competition turned civil war.
The Video Game History Foundation preserved a rare physical copy of the game and documented its packaging and materials in their digital archive.
Brandon White, operating as Graceware, SL, has sent numerous DMCA takedown notices for Cookie’s Bustle content, including gameplay videos, fanart, and even mentions of the game.
Graceware’s claims of ownership are dubious, relying on fake copyright registrations from INTEROCO, a non-governmental entity, and unapproved trademark applications.
Ukie, a UK trade association, initially facilitated Graceware’s automated takedowns but suspended services after the Foundation challenged the legitimacy of Graceware’s claims.
Graceware’s takedown strategy exploited weak points in the DMCA process, targeting web hosts instead of content creators to maximize removals with minimal scrutiny.
The game is likely an orphan work, meaning its true copyright owner is unknown, but it remains protected under copyright law.
The Foundation’s efforts have temporarily halted Graceware’s takedown campaign, allowing fair use of Cookie’s Bustle content to resume.
The case highlights broader issues with copyright trolls, automated takedown systems, and the challenges of preserving orphan works in video game history.

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