**Allumeria: DMCA Takedown Withdrawn by Microsoft**
In a recent development concerning the voxel sandbox game Allumeria, the developer, known as Unomelon, announced that Microsoft has retracted a DMCA takedown notice it previously filed against the game due to alleged copyright infringement. The notice accused Allumeria of incorporating content from Microsoft’s popular game, Minecraft, without authorization. Unomelon shared the news via an email posted on Discord on February 10th.
The original takedown notice from Valve, which hosts Allumeria on its Steam platform, was prompted by a claim from Microsoft alleging that they owned the copyright to certain content associated with Minecraft. The email from Valve included a statement from Judith Woodward, a representative of Microsoft Corporation, which argued that Unomelon’s game utilized aspects of Minecraft’s gameplay and assets unlawfully. As is typical in such scenarios, Valve removed Allumeria from the Steam store pending clarification.
On February 11th, Unomelon provided an update to the community, revealing that Microsoft had withdrawn the copyright claim. The developer expressed relief and satisfaction with the outcome, stating that this was the “best case scenario.” Unomelon noted that after a brief nap, they were ecstatic to find out that the Steam page had been fully restored without the need to file a counterclaim, which would have posed the risk of a lawsuit.
Industry observers speculate that the takedown notice may have been triggered by automated systems due to Allumeria’s visual parallels to Minecraft. While Allumeria features a distinctly blocky aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft, similar comparisons can be drawn to many voxel-based games, such as the upcoming title Hytale. Importantly, visual similarities alone do not substantiate claims of copyright infringement.
As a result of the resolution, Allumeria’s Steam page is once again active, and the game is slated for release sometime this year. A demo was released in January, but some players have reported encountering “license errors” when attempting to access it following the restoration of the Steam page. Unomelon is currently addressing these issues to ensure a smooth experience for potential players.
Allumeria’s case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding copyright in the gaming industry, especially within genres that encourage similar gameplay and aesthetics. As the landscape continues to evolve, both developers and companies like Microsoft will need to navigate these challenges carefully.
