Are there legal ramifications for lying on Kickstarter?

[Thagomizer]

So, if you admit that you knowingly mislead your backers on a Kickstarter campaign... are there legal ramifications for that? Anyone know? Could Kickstarter go after the developer to reclaim the funds that were given to them?

I'm just curious, since I'm not a lawyer or anything. But this whole situation has got me curious.

[Aron]

ask this on the kickstarter forums

[vv [FuMM]]

They are a UK company. There would be UK and EU law and what ever kickstarter is (usa?) to think about. It's worth getting a lawyer to look into this for you or who ever is interested.

[malvar]

Most likely, intentionally lying about a product for a financial gain constitutes a crime in most countries of the world and neither UK nor USA should be exceptions to this.

If someone is really dedicated enough to get a lawyer, it should at least be possible for that person to get a refund on his/her money. Possibly, this could even lead to criminal prosecution against Peter Molyneux.

Personally, i think the question isn't whether it is possible to take legal steps against 21cans/PM but only if someone will be willing enough to invest the time and money to make this happen... Most of us paid 20€ or less for this game and only consulting a lawyer about this will cost a lot more than that. Besides that, it might(!) even be possible that a civil lawsuit wouldn't even be possible when it is only about such a small amount but i don't really know much about this.
What would be a relatively easy and most of all, completely free possibility is for a uk citicen to just go to the police and ask whether it's possible to press criminal charges about this whole thing. If someone does, feel free to inform us about the answer you get, so even if there isn't any possibility, we could put this question to rest... ;)

PS: It might be important that the person who takes legal steps is a kickstarter backer and not just a steam early access buyer. At least, it would make a much easier case that way.

[vv [FuMM]]

The fact that 22cans don't offer refunds may be against uk/eu/what ever law. it is in australia. Steam is being taken to court over it in australia by the ACCC (government consumer and other stuff protection commision). Search the forums as there are posts about it.

to clarify: in australia it's the responserbility of the retailer to provide a refund and they inturn harass the manufacturer.

[Agamemnon-Hellmapper]

Someone do a kickstarter project to hire a lawyer to take 22cans to court. Now THAT would be ironic.

[malvar]

Originally posted by Agamemnon-Hellmapper:

Someone do a kickstarter project to hire a lawyer to take 22cans to court. Now THAT would be ironic.

i would seriously consider backing that *lol*

[Psychonaut23]

I too would back that ^

[Agamemnon-Hellmapper]

Yeah, me too. Teaching M. a lesson in reality would be worth another 15 bucks.

[MonkeyMummyMoney]

As much as i've grown to hate Godus and peter, i will defend him and them here. You could attempt to take them to court, however it would be pointless. He did't lie, he did give you a game, just on a ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Pedastal. If, he were to take the funds for godus and give you a single poster and that's it, than you could take him to court and stand a decent chance of winning, but he didn't. All he had to do is give you a game, what you paid for, he was under no obligation to give you a good game. He may of lied over the quality of the game, but it's not a lie worth attempting to sue over, Because than he could just turn around and sue you. Even still, it would be an international thing, which complicates matters, not every nation in the world has the same judical system, That being said, you would most likely go through the british crime and punishment system (22cans is located in Guildford, which is in Englad If i recall). So, if you were to hire someone, i would hire a Union Jack lawyer, might give you a slight advantage. Given the current state of the godus forums, i am interested in wheater or not they, 22cans, actually reads the posts anymore. Can only get your teeth kicked in at school so many times before you quit coming. I think the only real lesson to be learned here is to not be apart of early access, no matter how good the game might work.

[Praesmeodymium]

So your version of defending 22 cans is to suggest they were wrong and its cheaper just let it go?

I wouldnt call that a defense. I would call that an ecenomic reality... which is far from the same as innocent.

[Thagomizer]

Don't forget that some of the Kickstarter backers pledges thousands of dollars to the campaign. If we were all to go after Kickstarter and ask for a refund, now that he has admitted guilt, I assume they would go after him for the money.

vv [FuMM], you should get every Aussie you can think of who bought into this game, to contact Kickstarter and demand your money back.

And I would totally back the lawyer-up kickstarter, just to get a dig in on PM after this mess.

[Wish Bear]

The game I own now is a crappy single player version of populace. I hope it gets better eventually, but I am worried.