Copyright lawyer reasons Peter Molyneux's new game can share the name "Albion" with Xbox's Fable because "no one could trademark the word for a real place"

GamesCity BuilderFableCopyright lawyer reasons Peter Molyneux’s new game can share the name “Albion” with Xbox’s Fable because “no one could trademark the word for a real place"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesCity BuilderFableCopyright lawyer reasons Peter Molyneux’s new game can share the name “Albion” with Xbox’s Fable because “no one could trademark the word for a real place"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Playground Games) One copyright lawyer has chimed in on Peter Molyneux’s new game, which happens to kind of share a setting with Xbox’sFableseries. Peter Molyneux recently said that his new god simulator Masters of Albion shouldn’t get into any legal disputes for its setting of the titular Albion - another word for old England and also the fairytale world in Molyneux’s Fable games -because the word in itself “can’t be copyrighted.“Granted, he also admitted he wasn’t totally certain of that. Lawyer Haley MacLean then jumped into the discussion on social media, with an explanation for “informational purposes only” rather than actual legal advice, breaking down the important distinction between the word Albion and the world that Xbox has the rights to. I have gotten so many DMs for my take on this haha so here you go! https://t.co/LdTVpjaIHq pic.twitter.com/WpUgVWOurMAugust 21, 2024 I have gotten so many DMs for my take on this haha so here you go! https://t.co/LdTVpjaIHq pic.twitter.com/WpUgVWOurMAugust 21, 2024 MacLean explains that Molyneux is right: “no one could trademark/copyright protect the word for a real/historical place in and of itself.“Microsoftcan, however, copyright a “fictionalized take” on said historical place. “It comes down to how much creative effort is taken to create a ‘world’ that has originality.” MacLean uses MMO Albion Online as a good example - a game that’s set in a worldcalledAlbion, but its Albion doesn’t include Fable-y bits like The Hero’s Guild, characters like Theresa, or other lore related to the series. “The question isn’t really whether 22Cans is allowed to use the word Albion but whether their take on Albion is substantively similar to the world/lore of Albion from Fable,” MacLean continues. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Recent updatesThe headline on this story has been updated to clarify the distinction between Albion itself and Fable’s take on Albion specifically. Haley MacLean reiterates that “the ‘setting’ aka world could be copyright protected if it had originality, just not the word Albion in reference to the historical place.” Recent updatesThe headline on this story has been updated to clarify the distinction between Albion itself and Fable’s take on Albion specifically. Haley MacLean reiterates that “the ‘setting’ aka world could be copyright protected if it had originality, just not the word Albion in reference to the historical place.” Recent updates The headline on this story has been updated to clarify the distinction between Albion itself and Fable’s take on Albion specifically. Haley MacLean reiterates that “the ‘setting’ aka world could be copyright protected if it had originality, just not the word Albion in reference to the historical place.” Thanks to GamesRadar for this! Just a clarification, I think the headline sort of implies the opposite of what I was trying to convey, in that the ‘setting’ aka world could be copyright protected if it had originality, just not the word Albion in reference to the historical place https://t.co/S4dOgrDzDFAugust 23, 2024 Thanks to GamesRadar for this! Just a clarification, I think the headline sort of implies the opposite of what I was trying to convey, in that the ‘setting’ aka world could be copyright protected if it had originality, just not the word Albion in reference to the historical place https://t.co/S4dOgrDzDFAugust 23, 2024 Masters of Albion doesn’t have a release date yet, so why not check out thebest city-building gameswhile you wait? 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review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”