Copyright Infringement: FDev hit with Cease and Desist

Imperial Corsairs Squadron

Somewhere in the Galaxy

Viceroy CMDR Zack Countler

March 26, 2025 To: Frontier Developments Some Office in the Bubble

Subject: Cease and Desist – Unauthorized Use of the "Imperial Corsair" Name

Dear Frontier Developments Legal Droids,

We write to you today with a mixture of honor, concern, and a dash of indignation—not unlike the feeling one gets when hyperdicted by Thargoids right before a vacation. It has come to our attention that your esteemed company has decided to release a new ship named the Imperial Corsair.

Now, while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we appreciate the nod to our legendary squadron, we must address a pressing issue: royalties. After all, as fearless (and very well-branded) pilots of the real Imperial Corsairs, we feel entitled to a piece of the proverbial space cake. We have tirelessly built our name through years of galactic exploits, daring rescues, and more pew-pew than we can count. The fact that you now seek to profit from our prestigious name without proper tribute? Scandalous!

Thus, we demand that you immediately cease and desist production of your so-called Imperial Corsair until an appropriate agreement has been reached. Said agreement should include, but is not limited to:

  1. Royalties - A reasonable sum of credits, ARX, or a large stash of Lavian Brandy (negotiable).
  2. Public Acknowledgment - A formal announcement recognizing the Imperial Corsairs as the true inspiration for the ship’s name. A galaxy-wide GalNet article will suffice.
  3. Custom Liveries - Exclusive squadron-themed paint jobs featuring our glorious emblem. (Yes, we know you have the tech for it.)
  4. A Golden Bobblehead - A one-of-a-kind in-game ship bobblehead shaped like our squadron leader’s face. This is non-negotiable.
Should you fail to comply, we will be forced to take drastic action. And by drastic action, we mean showing up in Open Play outside Jameson Memorial and relentlessly interdicting unsuspecting new Imperial Corsair ship owners while explaining copyright law over voice comms. Trust us, nobody wants that.

We eagerly await your response and a swift resolution to this matter. In the meantime, we will continue doing what we do best—being far cooler than any ship you can create.

With imperial regards,

The Imperial Corsairs Squadron Legal Team (And Also Our Battlecruiser Fleet)

From the desk of Officer Brewton, our legal counsel

If anyone is interested in helping us seek Imperial Justice, look for us on INARA
 
Is there's scope for a player driven CG in here somewhere - pick a side, blockading or defending. I wouldn't blockade Jameson though, isn't it still a 'Backers Only' system or is that restriction long gone?
 
Unless you have registered the name in the past with the Imperial Patent and Trademark Office as a registered trademark, you are out of luck. Without a trademark, it's Fair Use.

"Copyright infringement" does not come into play at all because a short name is not large and and original enough of a body of work to fall under copyright. Names can be trademarked, they can't be copyrighted.

(Besides, I believe the official name of the ship is "Gutayama Corsair", not "Imperial Corsair". The latter is just the result of confusion.)
 

Ozric

Volunteer Moderator
I feel your beef should be with Gutayama as they are the ones making the ship. They are the sole designer and producers.

I for one welcome you waging war on them and reducing the number of slavers in the galaxy :)
 
We need a CG- one for Gut and one for the Corsairs.

If Gutamaya lose, the Corsair is removed.

If Gutamaya win, the Corsairs are removed.......
 

Ozric

Volunteer Moderator
We need a CG- one for Gut and one for the Corsairs.

If Gutamaya lose, the Corsair is removed.

If Gutamaya win, the Corsairs are removed.......
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