Roblox 'Brainrot' Dev Sues Fortnite Creator Over Alleged Clone

The developer behind the Roblox phenomenon has filed a lawsuit against a Fortnite creator, alleging copyright infringement over an 'alleged clone' of the hit game.

The developer behind one of Roblox's most popular games has sued a Fortnite map creator, alleging copyright infringement in a case that could reshape how intellectual property is protected across user-generated gaming platforms.

Spyder Games, also known as DoBig Studios, filed suit this week in California district court against Thomas Van Der Voort, claiming his Fortnite Creative map "Stealing Brainrots" constitutes a "wholesale copy" of its hit title "Steal a Brainrot." The complaint seeks the map's permanent removal from Fortnite, monetary damages and a share of any revenue it generated.

The lawsuit centers on a game that became a cultural phenomenon. After launching in May, "Steal a Brainrot" (a meme-inspired hybrid of idle gaming, tycoon mechanics and player-versus-player combat) became the first Roblox experience to surpass 25 million concurrent players in October. The title has accumulated nearly six billion total visits and helped push Roblox to a platform record of 47 million concurrent users in September.

Copyright Battle Over Popular Gaming Concept

According to the complaint, Van Der Voort's Fortnite map, which appeared in July, reproduced the original's "signature art direction, gameplay systems, and even certain visual assets" with only superficial changes. The suit also alleges the similar naming caused "substantial marketplace confusion," diverting players from an officially licensed Fortnite version that Spyder Games developed in collaboration with Epic Games.

The case highlights mounting tensions in the user-generated content economy, where both Roblox and Fortnite now offer substantial engagement-based payouts to creators. Legal experts say the financial incentives have increased the temptation to replicate proven hits, raising questions about where inspiration ends and infringement begins.

As of late October, the accused map had been disabled within Fortnite, though it remains unclear whether Epic Games or the creator initiated the action. Neither Van Der Voort nor Epic Games has publicly responded to the lawsuit.

Industry observers are watching closely. The case could establish precedent for how copyright law applies to gameplay mechanics and community-driven innovation across digital platforms, a largely unsettled area of intellectual property law.