CD Projekt Red is using DMCA takedowns to stop the spread of Cyberpunk 2077’s source code on the internet, after the expansive ransomware attack on them.
Earlier this month, hackers have infiltrated CD Projekt Red’s content servers. Much of their codes leaked, including the source code for their games like Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
Now, CDPR is issuing takedown notices, with at least two to Twitter users last week.
CDPR experienced massive ransomware attack
So far, CDPR is having a bad last few months, with their servers infiltrated by hackers. The hackers initially asked for ransom, in exchange for giving the source code back. The studio declined the offer, instead of going public with the breach.
Important Update pic.twitter.com/PCEuhAJosR
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) February 9, 2021
True to their threats, the hackers posted the source code for CDPR’s card game Gwent. There are also reports that the hackers auctioned off all the source code in a Russian hacking forum. The auction was a success, and now the source codes are public knowledge.
As the source code is now in the wild, CDPR is doing its best to control where it goes. Several reports of DMCA takedowns through copyright monitoring firm App Global Ltd were found out.
In these, they warn that the source codes they link to were illegally obtained. The takedown generally says:
“Description of infringement: Illegally obtained source code of Gwent: The Witcher Card Game. Posted without authorisation, not intended to be released to the public,”
DMCA wielded properly by CDPR
CD Projekt Red is currently taking advantage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA. So far, many big corporations used the DMCA to bully generally small creators. Many even use it to troll content creators without as much as a repercussion.
Dear gamers,
Below, you’ll find CD PROJEKT’s co-founder’s personal explanation of what the days leading up to the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 looked like, sharing the studio’s perspective on what happened with the game on old-generation consoles. pic.twitter.com/XjdCKizewq— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) January 13, 2021
In this case, CDPR is making good use of the regulation, considering the data is straight-up stolen at this point. So far, there’s nothing the company can do but do some type of damage control.
Their source codes will eventually come to countries where copyright rules are not respected. These will include countries like China or Russia, which don’t abide by western copyright requests.
The report itself tried to contact the hackers who did the attack on CDPR but were unwilling to comment without payment. Suffice to say, the company is looking towards more years of damage control on their hands.
CDPR will likely overhaul their source code to close off potential backdoors and vulnerabilities. Until then, CD Projekt Red would have to actively curb the spread of their code and prevent it from going public.
Featured image courtesy of CD Projekt Red/Youtube Screenshot