Choreographer sues Epic Games

April 6, 2022, 5:22 AM PST / Updated April 15, 2022, 1:34 AM PST

Choreographer sues Epic Games for using his copyrighted moves in a Fortnite emote

A professional choreographer who is suing Epic Games alleging copyright infringement claims the company lifted his dance moves for a Fortnite emote.

Kyle Hanagami, a choreographer who has worked with NSYNC, Britney Spears, BlackPink and other pop superstars, alleges that moves in the "It's Complicated" emote used movements from a copyrighted routine.

Hanagami posted his choreography to Charlie Puth's song "How Long" in 2017. Fortnite launched the "It's Complicated" emote in August 2020.

The lawsuit, which was filed last week, says Epic Games, which owns Fortnite, "did not credit Hanagami nor seek his consent to use, display, reproduce, sell or create derivative work based on the Registered Choreography."

Epic Games did not immediately respond to a request for comment.