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CD Projekt Red issues DMCA to prevent spread of stolen Gwent code

The copyright strikes targeted Twitter users sharing links to download the stolen data

CD Projekt Red issued DMCA takedowns to Twitter users in an attempt to control the spread of stolen code.

The studio was the victim of a ransomware attack in early February, with some of the data reportedly sold online soon after, believed to include the source code for games including The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.

Now Vice reported that CD Projekt Red sent a takedown notice to at least two Twitter users who shared links to download the stolen Gwent data.

The DMCA notice read as follows: "Description of infringement: Illegally obtained source code of Gwent: The Witcher Card Game. Posted without authorisation, not intended to be released to the public."

Following the DMCA infringement notice, both posts were taken down by Twitter.

The ransomware attack also "compromised" CD Projekt Red's "internal systems," the developer said after the incident, but didn't seem to have impacted the personal data of players.

Back then, the hackers gave the studio 48 hours to contact them, but CPD said it would "not give in to the demands nor negotiate with the actor."

The hackers initially organised an auction to sell the source codes, but ended up cancelling it as they received an external offer. It is unclear how much money they accepted for the data.

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Marie Dealessandri

Deputy Editor

Marie Dealessandri joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2019 to head its Academy section. A journalist since 2012, she started in games in 2016 at B2B magazine MCV. She can be found (rarely) tweeting @mariedeal, usually on a loop about Baldur’s Gate and the Dead Cells soundtrack. GI resident Moomins expert.