CD Projekt Red resolves royalty dispute with The Witcher author

After disputing a demand for 60 million Polish zloty (£12m) last year, CD Projekt Red has now reached a settlement with Andrzej Sapkowski, author of the Witcher series.

Sapkowski sold the rights to the book series to CD Projekt back in 1997, and turned down a profit-sharing agreement in order to secure a fixed sum of 35,000 PLN (approximately $9,350). Following the success of the video games series, however, Sapkowski is now seeking additional compensation.

CD Projekt received a demand for additional royalties from the author of the Witcher series amounting to 60 million Polish zloty (£12.4m) last October. Sapkowski’s representatives said the figure of 60 million zloty was reached by factoring about six per cent of CD Projekt’s profits as a "conservative" payment, and the letter stated the amount of money Sapkowski has so far received for the Witcher’s copyright as "too low".

"Considering the specific relationship between you and Mr. Andrzej Sapkowski," the letter said, "The Author’s nature and character, and also your own standing and business interests, we are prepared to settle the matter in an amicable – and more importantly – expeditious and quiet manner."

In a statement on its site, the studio called the claims for additional royalties "groundless". Now, however, it seems both the studio and the author have reached an agreement. While it’s not clear what financial resolution was reached, reports intimate (thanks, Gamasutra) it’s significantly lower than the 60 million zloty Sapkowski originally sought.

CD Projekt Red is currently working on Cyberpunk 2077, partnering with Bandai Namco to distribute the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 in 24 European countries. Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated upcoming titles around, and CD Projekt has been drip-feeding information about the game at a careful pace.