Former GM sues over baby murloc voice and song
by Mathew McCurley 
Mar 8th 2012 at 8:00PM
While we don't have much more information other than the bit that's been reported, one of the key factors could be the clauses in her contract governing what happens to things employees create while on the job. Many companies have such invention policies in place to capitalize on employees' ideas and give them a place to go with said ideas to potentially make them real.
The interesting part of the complaint -- and for me, the most heartwarming, because you could tell a lawyer wrote it -- is that Lewis is claiming the baby murloc has become the de facto mascot of World of Warcraft. What do you guys think? When I think Warcraft, I think orcs, humans, war, yadda yadda -- not baby murlocs. If you're interested in a bit more of an in-depth analysis, look forward to my Lawbringer column next week.
Here's hoping for a quick settlement or summary judgmgrlrglrglrlglgglrrrllll.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Pyromelter Mar 8th 2012 8:05PM
The baby murlocs in Borean Tundra are seriously the cutest thing that have ever been put into the game.
But mascot? The big statue outside of blizz headquarters is Thrall. Thrall is the mascot (sorry alliance players). Murlocs are a cute side-diversion.
Heck, Leeeroy Jenkins! is more of a wow mascot than murlocs.
Snuzzle Mar 8th 2012 9:21PM
I dunno. I disagree. After all, what has been given away at every Blizzcon since WoW's release? Some type of murloc themed in game item. First the costume, then the pet, then a bear mount with a murloc riding shotgun... yeah, I can easily see a case being made about the murloc being Blizzard's mascot.
Killik Mar 9th 2012 5:48AM
Can you imagine the annoyance of a mini-Thrall mini-pet from every Blizzcon? "I did not ask for this!" in a squeaky voice, "Cairne was my BROTHER!"
Chivvy Mar 9th 2012 11:41AM
Garrosh would be an awesome mini-pet. Imagine his squeaky voice saying:
"You! Are! DISMISSED!"
"Watch your clever mouth, bitch!"
"Get! Off! My! SHIIIIIIIP!"
Snark Mar 9th 2012 12:43PM
I agree with Snuzzle. The Murloc has been the mascot for some time now.
Zirri Mar 8th 2012 8:08PM
Seriously? Seriously?
chaos5061 Mar 8th 2012 8:10PM
I don't think of baby murlocs when I think of Warcraft. But I do think of Murlocs when I think of Blizzard though. To me the Murloc
chaos5061 Mar 8th 2012 8:12PM
ok bad double post. it just reset or something when I was posting I thought when it actually posted for some reason.
chaos5061 Mar 8th 2012 8:11PM
I don't think of baby murlocs when I think of Warcraft. But I do think of Murlocs when I think of Blizzard though. To me the Murloc is the mascot of Blizzard.
Domintal Mar 8th 2012 8:45PM
Not sure why this is being downvoted, the incomplete one sure.. but this one is fine.
WoWie Zowie Mar 8th 2012 10:34PM
yes the murloc has turned into an unofficial WoW mascot, being instantly recognizable anywhere its placed as pertaining only to WoW. orcs, dragons, etc. can all be seen in various forms outside of WoW. but the murloc is signature WoW.
now, the BABY murloc is an entirely different story. the baby version is not a de facto icon of anything except 100 square yards of land in borean tundra.
she should just be happy that her cute voice made it into the game. payment enough.
Snuzzle Mar 9th 2012 6:03AM
Except for the fact tha there's, what, a dozen different types of baby murloc pet? And how many of them were Blizzcon swag or promotional items?
Yeah, sorry. Murlocs (including their adoably annoying babies), are the unofficial WoW mascot.
AltairAntares Mar 9th 2012 10:24AM
I think murlocs being the mascot is a bit weird considering the huge hate players have built up for them while leveling.
I don't know how many times I died to those stupid murlocs in Elwyn Forest on my first character... I utterly reviled them!
Jeff (Not that one ^ ) Mar 8th 2012 8:16PM
I'm not sure the gutteral noises made while choking in the cafeteria can really be considered intellectual property.
thebl4ckd0g Mar 8th 2012 8:16PM
eh i dunno if you can say the murloc has become a mascot for wow. maybe for blizzcon, since the past blizzcon's have all had a murloc pet or relevant murloc freebie. but when I think of WoW, I think of Orcs and Humans first.
Slugfest Mar 8th 2012 8:17PM
Thrall is the mascot lol. Horde ftw!
Shrikesnest Mar 8th 2012 8:18PM
Not enough detail. Her lawyer's legal arguments are spurious, but welcome to law. Imagine you had an in-joke at your previous place of employment and then, one day, after you've moved your business elsewhere, your in-joke is plastered all over the company website without crediting you at all. Some would be honored, some wouldn't care. I'd be pissed, but I dunno if I'd sue for damages.
Greedy money-grab? Someone just interested in getting what she deserves? Can't it be both? Too murky.
razion Mar 8th 2012 8:35PM
Hah. Murky. ... I see what you did there.
uber_raiser Mar 8th 2012 8:37PM
I see what you did there.
Levi Mar 8th 2012 8:45PM
definitely interesting - i know when i worked in a call center for a major telcom, there was a clause in the paperwork i signed when hired that stated my voice, in the form of customer interactions, could be used in advertisements and training materials, and there was jack i could do about it. if she's claiming they stole copywriteable material from here tho (songs), wouldn't she have either had to sing them while being recorded, or written them while on the clock? afak, most "invention" clauses are written to only cover what is done either while on the clock or on/with company property......lets see how this turns out.