Arcade operator suspends SG60 carnival game after copyright infringement notice, apologises for 'lapse'
In a Facebook post on Monday, Origame accused The Arcade People of "ripping off" artwork from its games. Citing how it had come across a carnival game at City Square Mall, the company alleged artwork from its Kopi King game was "lifted wholesale" by the operator.
The homegrown firm, which is known for its Singapore-themed card and tabletop games, claimed that the artwork appeared in an SG60-themed carnival game called Kopitiam Hero. According to pictures posted by Origame on Facebook, Kopitiam Hero uses the same "Sejak 1965!" tagline.
It also alleged another piece of artwork was copied for a separate carnival game by The Arcade People and said the experience had left a "bitter aftertaste".
In a statement on Facebook, The Arcade People apologised to Origame. It acknowledged the designs for two of its carnival games included artwork taken directly from Origame's games Kopi King and Chope!, and that the design of Kopitiam Hero "closely imitates" the font, style and colour of Kopi King's logo.
"These elements were wrongly used without permission and were taken from Origame's website," it said. "This was not just an oversight - it was a lapse in due diligence on our part."
The Arcade People added it would take "full and unequivocal responsibility" and that the imitation of design elements had stemmed from not having "proper checks and approvals" in place.
Responding to CNA's queries, The Arcade People said it had immediately suspended the game from all rentals and public use until the artwork is replaced.
It added it would permanently remove and destroy all materials and props associated with the infringing games, and take "additional steps" by internally reviewing all existing and future artwork usage to prevent such issues from happening again.
Origame co-founder and producer Nicholas Pang confirmed with CNA his company had sent a notice of copyright infringement on Monday and noted The Arcade People was "taking responsibility for their mistake".
Origame, established in 2019, has released over 20 original games, and its most popular games celebrate local hawker culture.
Chope! tasks players with reserving tables with tissue packets, while Kopi King requires players to "snatch" ingredient cards to make coffee shop drink orders.
Origame co-founder and designer Daryl Chow told CNA that while the firm has experienced copyright issues overseas for its internationally licensed games, this is the first time their work had been "stolen" in Singapore.
Despite this, Mr Pang said Origame would be willing to work with The Arcade People going forward if "they wish to license and adapt our games in a way that property respects the designers and illustrators who created them".
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'So there is a lot of value in this human part of conservation that ought to be passed down.'
