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<fs smaller>**ADVOCATING FOR ANAS** YouTuber Nerdrotic features the latest from game developer Anas Abdin about his copyright lawsuit against the creators of //Star Trek: Discovery//. </fs> <fs x-small>//Source Images/Nerdrotic//</fs>

<fs x-small>FEBRUARY 9, 2019<wrap indent> | </wrap><wrap indent> 5 MINS READING TIME</wrap></fs>

====== Tardigrades Developer 'Devastated' by Discovery Copying  ======

**//Ahead of Motion to Dismiss His Suit, Anas Abdin is Featured in New Interview with YouTuber Nerdrotic//**
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Popular YouTuber Nerdrotic shared [[yout>NdSSttnpoAk|an interview]] on his channel with Tardigrades developer Anas Abdin, who's suing CBS and Netflix for allegedly stealing his ideas for use in //Star Trek: Discovery//, saying Star Trek is "a victim of greed being handled by unoriginal 'authors.'"

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<fs smaller>**//See also: [[tardigrades_steam|Judge Wants Evidence Discovery Creators Saw Game]] and [[tardigrades_third_complaint|Copyright Lawsuit Names Discovery Writer as Possible Link]]//**</fs>
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===== The Latest Narrative =====

With the defendants' motion to dismiss due in the coming week, Abdin appealed to Nerdrotic's //Discovery//-hating audience. Abdin discussed how the new Star Trek show has affected him:

> When someone breaks [into] your head, fishes for ideas and then claims they are their own, the pain and disappointment are devastating.(([[yout>NdSSttnpoAk|"Star Trek Discovery Lawsuit | Anas Abdin Interview and Update,"]] Nerdrotic YouTube channel, 2/7/19.))

Without any evidence presented in the video, Abdin claimed his Tardigrades game was "the top adventure game of all time before CBS/Netflix were involved,"(([[yout>NdSSttnpoAk|"Star Trek Discovery Lawsuit | Anas Abdin Interview and Update,"]] Nerdrotic YouTube channel, 2/7/19.)) even though it has never been released in any playable form.

[{{ :anas_abdin_linkedin.jpg?150|**Anas Abdin** <fs smaller>///LinkedIn//</fs>}}]

===== State of the Case =====

Nerdrotic presented screen caps of Abdin's emailed responses to interview questions, including recounting the latest goings-on in the copyright infringement case:

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  * CBS' lawyers asked for a dismissal of the case, which was rejected by the judge. However, that [[tardigrades_steam|wasn't true]]. The motion to dismiss isn't due to the judge until [[tardigrades_steam#establishing_defendants_access|February 12]], with a ruling not expected until after March 19.
  * His lawyers are [[tardigrades_steam|going after]] CBS employees who might've learned about Tardigrades before or during Discovery's development. **AxaMonitor** [[tardigrades_third_complaint|discovered]] the single employee named by his attorneys wasn't even a member of the videogame platform at the time Abdin alleges she was.
  * Abdin was counting on Tardigrades' income to care for his ailing parents.
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<WRAP>//**__« The human being, Anas Abdin, [is] taking on the inhuman CBS, [which is] picking on this poor guy, trying to take care of his parents, and stealing his life’s work. »__**// <wrap indent>//— Nerdrotic YouTube channel//</wrap></WRAP>

==== Concessions ====

What was left out of the interview was any news from Abdin about some [[tardigrades_third_complaint#conceded_points_of_law|major concessions]] already made by his lawyers, namely:

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  * No statutory damages: Abdin appeared to have registered his copyright too late, rendering him eligible for only actual damages, which could be minimal since his game has yet to be released.
  * No claim for visual artist’s rights. Abdin conceded his ineligiblity for damages under the 1990 [[breakdown_dismissal_letter#not_covered_under_berne_convention_visual_artists_law|Visual Artists’ Rights Act]], probably because Tardigrades [[tardigrades_third_complaint#conceded_points_of_law|may not qualify]] for protection under that law.
  * No claim under Berne Convention. After first claiming jurisdiction under this international copyright agreement abandoned the effort. Since he's suing in a U.S. court, he can [[breakdown_dismissal_letter#not_covered_under_berne_convention_visual_artists_law|seek no damages]] beyond that offered by U.S. copyright law.
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<WRAP>//**__<wrap em>Watch</wrap>__**//</WRAP>
{{youtube>NdSSttnpoAk?large|Nerdrotic interviews Anas Abdin}}
<fs smaller>**TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VIEWS** have been recorded of Nerdrotic's interview with game developer Anas Abdin.</fs>
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==== Sorry, lawyers ====

Abdin's lawyers may not like that Abdin's [[tardigrades_third_complaint#attorneys_fees_ineligible|late copyright registration]] also means they cannot request their fees be added to damages should they win the case.

===== Why This Matters =====

The Tardigrades case has not received much coverage from larger media outlets but it has become a cause célèbre among YouTubers and bloggers who intensely dislike Discovery, and who harbor bad feelings toward CBS because it sued Alec Peters over his "independent Star Trek film," Axanar.

==== Nerdrotic's rant ====

Nerdrotic condemned  CBS for hounding Abdin (though Abdin is the one who sued), describing him as "the human being, Anas Abdin, taking on the inhuman CBS. … You're picking on this poor guy, trying to take care of his parents, and stealing his life's work."

More than 31,000 views were logged for Abdin's Nerdrotic interview.

==== Strength of the Case ====

How strong is Abdin's case? While most copyright experts don't think Abdin has a [[http://axamonitor.com/doku.php?id=breakdown_dismissal_letter|strong case]], Discovery haters do, and they've been vocal about it.

==== Next steps ====

If Tardigrades survives the upcoming motion to dismiss, people may have to reevaluate their position. {{page>footer}} {{tag>Tardigrades_lawsuit copyright_infringement Star_Trek_Discovery CBS Netflix}}