The New York Times Enforces Copyright on Wordle Clones

The media giant has issued copyright takedown notices to developers of Wordle-inspired games, citing infringement on its intellectual property.

The New York Times, which acquired Wordle in 2022, is targeting hundreds of Wordle look-alikes with DMCA takedown notices.
Developers of Wordle-inspired games are accused of infringing on the Times' ownership of the Wordle name and its distinctive layout and color scheme.
The Times has no issue with similar word games that do not infringe its trademarks or copyrighted gameplay, according to a spokesperson.
Affected developers have expressed frustration, with some games being taken down as a result of the notices.
Legal experts suggest the Times' copyright claims, particularly regarding game layout and color scheme, may be on shaky ground.