Square Enix Hates Viral Marketing

[Scamperoo]

*facepalm*

First off, no you can't sue anyone for anything. It's called standing.

Second of all, SE clearly wants to control the tone and perception of advertising. They don't want to have to defend themselves over what someone else did. That is their right. This isn't just about impressions and getting the word out there about FFXIV. We are talking about a franchise and a very valuable brand image. Viral marketing / guerilla campaigns are best used to generate buzz and recognition of something new. While the 14th installment franchise is new, the franchise itself is not. The assumption being that they will continue the franchise, those branding elements are going to be closely defended.

Have you actually ever dealt with IP law or advertising in a professional setting?

That comment isn't the point, is it. If this is your trump card to your post it's assuming much and accomplishing little.

Square is should be delighted the fans of the game have begun to have a little fun with it. Square has had a long history of allowing thousands of youtube videos to a variation of music and glitches. It kept FFXI going for 11 years, not one instance have I seen where there was any detriment to this franchise. We know about the brand image, it was nearly done to death from within the company, saved only by it's fan base. What is valuable about FFXIV is it's inherited customers. Those who gave the game a second chance are waiting for the magic to begin again, not having to worry about the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads if they make an unacceptable post in the forums or make an amusing video.
As to the 14th iteration of Final Fantasy, the first Final Fantasy was supposed to be FINAL! it did well enough to get to 13, all of those years the joy of this game was perpetuated through Youtube its videos and music. Now it seems this part of the fan participation is over, you are right the franchise is not new, it got this far because we loved the game and participated in everything, now you say they are defending their newest franchise...from their fanbase, I say that is a very unfortunate mistake to make.