Playdead and Dino Patti Dispute Heats Up Over Limbo Copyright Claims

Playdead and Dino Patti Dispute Heats Up Over Limbo Copyright Claims Playdead, the acclaimed Danish indie game studio best known for hits such as Limbo and Inside, is currently in the midst of a public legal dispute with former co-founder Dino Patti.

The disagreement centers on allegations of copyright infringement, reigniting tensions that have simmered since Patti's departure from the company after Inside's release in 2016.

This conflict follows years of mounting friction between Patti and fellow Playdead co-founder Arnt Jensen, bringing the topic of intellectual property and creator rights to the forefront of the indie development community. Playdead made its mark on the gaming industry with the 2010 release of Limbo, a minimalist puzzle-platformer that found widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.

Released on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, Limbo has influenced a generation of indie developers and set a high standard for atmospheric storytelling in games.

This success was followed by Inside in 2016, which further cemented the studio’s reputation for innovative, emotionally impactful experiences. Following his exit from Playdead, Dino Patti established a new studio called Jumpship, yet the relationship between the studio’s co-founders has remained strained.

The tension publicly resurfaced on March 3, 2025, when Playdead issued a legal notice to Patti over the use of an 'unauthorized' image from Limbo in a now-deleted LinkedIn post.

According to the statement shared with Game Developer, Playdead confirmed, "We have found it necessary to submit demands to Mr.

Patti for copyright infringement in order to protect our trademarks and copyrights.

These are fundamental to Playdead's business and reputation." The legal demand requests Patti pay 500,000 Danish kroner (approximately £56,000 or $73,000) as compensation and reimbursement, noting that sharing the protected image constituted violation of Playdead’s intellectual property rights.

In detailed correspondence posted by Patti on his LinkedIn account, the studio accused Patti of "misleadingly implying significant and creative involvement in Limbo's development" through the LinkedIn post in question. Patti, who has since removed the disputed post, responded in a public statement, expressing frustration with the ongoing legal pressure.

He recalled his foundational role in building Playdead, stating that the company would not have existed without his involvement.

"Those early years were a struggle we endured together; that's not ego, it's fact," wrote Patti.

He closed his statement by asking his former partner to end what he calls "bullying," while affirming, "I will not stop being who I am." Both Limbo and Inside continue to hold strong reputations in the indie gaming community and are available via platforms such as the Nintendo Switch eShop.

This situation serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding intellectual property in game development, especially among closely knit creative teams. As the dispute unfolds, the gaming industry will be watching closely for updates and any potential ramifications for intellectual property rights among game developers.

Any new developments regarding Playdead, Dino Patti, or Limbo will be promptly reported here. Sources: LinkedIn, Game Developer

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