White House removes 'Build the Wall' game following copyright concerns from The Tetris Company
The White House has removed the arcade-style game 'Build the Wall' from its website. The removal followed public criticism from The Tetris Company, which stated it was not involved in the game's creation and that it takes copyright infringement seriously.
First reported 6 days ago · latest update 5 days ago
The White House has taken down a Tetris-style game on its website called "Build The Wall", days after The Tetris Company raised concerns over its use of the game's likeness.
The game, which saw players stack blocks to build a wall to "protect the border" is one of five arcade games which have appeared on the White House website.
On 4 September the official Tetris account on X posted, external the firm was "not involved in the creation" of the game and it took "copyright infringement very seriously".
The White House has not responded to requests for comment from the BBC or given an official reason for the takedown.
"At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and building people together, not dividing them," the firm said in its initial response to the game.
"To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we're grateful to have you in our community."
The Tetris Company has had previous success in suing firms for infringing on its copyright - settling for an undisclosed fee with the makers of the iPhone game Mino in 2012, which it claimed stole the look and feel of the block-builder.
Four other arcade games still remain on the mini-game section of the White House website.
"Flappy Bill", a clone of the 2013 viral hit Flappy Bird sees players fly a bald eagle and dodging monuments from the National Mall.
Meanwhile in Rio Run, players must "patrol the line along the river", with gameplay reminiscent of the classic phone game Snake.
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White House pulls Tetris-style 'Build The Wall' game after copyright concern
The Tetris Company says it takes "copyright infringement very seriously" and is not involved with the game.
5 days agoWhite House pulls Tetris-style ‘Build the Wall’ game
It comes four days after a warning by the classic game maker that it takes copyright infringement seriously.
6 days agoWhite House Removes ‘Build the Wall’ Game After Tetris Rebuke
The arcade game launched last week has disappeared from the White House site after the Tetris Company criticized it and said it takes “copyright infringement very seriously.”
6 days ago · Miranda JeyaretnamWhite House Removes Tetris-Inspired 'Build the Wall' Game Amid Legal Threat
The Tetris Company told Newsweek on Monday that it was “not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall'."
5 days agoWhite House takes down ‘Build the Wall’ game after the Tetris Company complains
The Trump administration's short-lived arcade game "Build the Wall" is now nowhere to be found after the Tetris Company posted that it takes "copyright infringement very seriously."
6 days ago · Lucas Ropek