For the longest time many YouTubers and outlets kept speculating that the in-development RPG at CDRP was another Witcher title. Due to legal reasons it was entirely impossible as their original contract with Andrzej Sapkowski only permitted the development of three titles under The Witcher Intellectual Property.
Until a new deal was to be signed, no further titles could be developed. Whether gamers liked the author or appreciated his previous stance towards gaming he remained the one with the upper hand when it came to negotiations. After Netflix signed an agreement to create a Witcher television show back in September the author had plenty of other avenues to generate revenue from his intellectual property.
Silently in the early months of 2019 CDPR settled out of court with Andrzej Sapkowski on owed royalties. Now they’ve confirmed a final deal has been signed between both parties allowing the extended use of the Witcher name and universe.
CD PROJEKT, creators of “The Witcher” series of games and upcoming role-playing game “Cyberpunk 2077”, together with Andrzej Sapkowski, author of “The Witcher” books, would like to inform that today both parties signed an agreement further solidifying their relationship.
“We’ve always admired Mr. Andrzej Sapkowski’s works — a great inspiration for the team here at CD PROJEKT RED,” says Adam Kiciński, President and Joint CEO, CD PROJEKT. “I believe today marks a new stage in our continued relationship,” Kiciński concludes.
The agreement satisfies and fully clarifies the needs and expectations of both parties, past and present, and sets out a framework for the future cooperation between the two sides.
The agreement grants CD PROJEKT new rights, as well as confirms the company’s title to “The Witcher” intellectual property in video games, graphic novels, board games, and merchandise.
What is interesting about the new deal is it extends in scope beyond the original deal. As of now CDPR owns the Witcher title for use in video games, graphic novels, board games, and merchandise without limits. In English what this means is they own the use of the name for ventures stated, but not the intellectual property outright.
This is an important distinction because it means the author cannot license out the IP to other publishers, but at the same time CDPR themselves do not have de facto ownership of it. Similar to how Marvel licensed out Spider-man to Sony.
The middle statement regarding their agreement is corporate speak for a legal framework outlining the rights, responsibilities, and dues has been written up and signed by both parties preventing any future legal arbitration on the matter. It is a fair bet CDPR secured a non disparagement clause amongst a set time period before the contract can be legally revisited and adjusted. Exact details unless one of the two entities involved is willing to divulge will remain unknown.
With the agreement signed, now any game currently in development as an RPG can be assumed properly to be another Witcher game. With the Witcher 3 being Geralt’s last adventure the skies are the limit on what avenue of the universe the developers might explore in a future title.
