Going to the Chapel, Going to Get Slaughtered

I think this kind of thing has happened before, but I can't remember a church being the aggrieved party. The dean and chapter of Manchester Cathedral want to yank images of the building's interior from the shoot-'em-up game Resistance: Fall of Man.

David Wilson, a Sony spokesman, told The Times: "It is game-created footage, it is not video or photography. It is entertainment, like Doctor Who or any other science fiction. It is not based on reality at all. Throughout the whole process we have sought permission where necessary."

But clergy at Manchester Cathedral said no clearance for the use of their nave for a gun battle had been sought. Canon Paul Denby, Subdean and Administrator, said: "I think they are going to be in for a surprise because we are not going to let this one go. One million people are visiting Manchester Cathedral through this game."

That actually sounds like the best thing to happen to church attendance in the UK since Brits believed in God.

Comments

[David]

What does British law have to say regarding images of public buildings?

[Jack]

Interesting legal argument here, as the games engine generates all the footage--it doesn't use actual photos or images of the church, but rather generates a 3-D model using the arcitectural specs and similar textures

Hopefully it is banned, because that level's a bitch

[Jake Boone]

But clergy at Manchester Cathedral said no clearance for the use of their nave for a gun battle had been sought.

Are they seriously claiming IP for the interior of a church that dates back to 1215? I can only guess that they figure IP protection should last for "the lifetime of God plus 90 years".

[Friedrich Nietzsche]

I can only guess that they figure IP protection should last for "the lifetime of God plus 90 years".

Uh, that would have expired anyway.

[Taktix?]

Apparently, when you make a 3-D computer model of an object, you steal its soul.

[LarryA]

What does British law have to say regarding images of public buildings?

Given that we're talking about the Church of England, what does British law have to say regarding images of government buildings?

[Abdul]

Hey, in church you're only supposed to focus on the gruesome death of one guy. If you start adding in unrealted massacres, it kinda cheapens JC's story.

[Grotius]

The cathedral was the scene of some tumult during the English Civil War.

[J sub D]

I can only guess that they figure IP protection should last for "the lifetime of God plus 90 years".

Uh, that would have expired anyway.

Touche.

[Jake Boone]

I doff my cap to crimethink. I stand humbled.

[Terrorific]

Well, after the Church of England returns the cathedral to the rightful owners that they stole it from originally (the Catholic Church), let the Pope sue the game makers, lose, and make an ass out of himself.

[Eddy]

I don't get it, does JC jump off the cross and start throwing the wafers to decapitate space aliens? Maybe.. peel off the head wrap and it becomes a whip of thorns to lash the godless off world heathens. What about burning acid in the wine glass? Surely the whole fire and brimstone bit is a tad overdone.