A new Goat Simulator 3 advertisement has been removed because it used leaked footage from the highly anticipated game GTA 6. The trailer, originally posted on the official game Twitter account, included brief clips from the leaked footage and was promptly removed after a DMCA takedown notice was sent by Take-Two, the publisher of GTA 6.
The leaked footage of Grand Theft Auto VI resulted from a hack on Rockstar Games and provided a first look at the game, including characters, setting, mechanics, and more. This was the initial glimpse of the game, despite being known that GTA 6 was in development. The footage was swiftly removed from the internet by Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive, although it circulated on social media and other platforms.
The Goat Simulator 3 advertisement utilized the GTA 6 leaked footage to create a comical scenario. The diner robbery footage was incorporated with the Goat Simulator 3 non-playable character in the background. It was a creative use of the leaked footage without infringing on Rockstar Games' copyright directly. Nonetheless, Take-Two did not appreciate the approach and promptly issued a copyright strike on the video.
The team responsible for Goat Simulator 3 did not have any intention to breach Take-Two's copyright and simply wanted to have some fun with the leaked footage. Unfortunately, the advertisement was taken down due to the incident.
It remains uncertain if further action will be taken by Take-Two due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
Take-Two has previously pursued DMCA takedowns for the use of leaked footage in the public domain. The company expressed considerable disappointment over the leak and has been actively working to remove the footage from public platforms.
Conclusion
The Goat Simulator 3 advertisement incident has sparked discussions regarding the use of leaked footage in official game trailers. While the trailer team may have been exploring different approaches, Take-Two seems unprepared to take the GTA 6 leak lightly. Further developments are anticipated. This incident emphasizes the importance of respecting copyright laws and understanding the repercussions of using leaked footage.
