9/11 Space Invaders Exhibit Draws Ire of Taito

During the Games Convention in Leipzig, a display called Invaders! was installed, ostensibly as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Space Invaders. The Space Invaders: The Anniversary Show exhibit created by Douglas Edric Stanley has players trying (and inevitably failing) to fend off an attack by invaders on the World Trade Center towers. Designed to be a commentary on the War on Terror and described by its creator as "a social tale that can be related to historical tales without losing its poetic power," Invaders! has caused a stir with numerous media outlets and has prompted a response by Taito, owner of the Space Invaders IP.

"Taito, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix, today stated unequivocally that the Invaders!" installation by Douglas Edric Stanley and displayed at the Games Convention held in Leipzig, Germany was produced entirely without Taito's knowledge and that the use of the world-famous Space Invaders content was wholly unauthorized," reads the release by Taito. "The Space Invaders: the Anniversary Show exhibition of the Computer Game Museum Berlin hosting the installation was likewise planned and presented without Taito's knowledge and authorization."

"Taito is seriously considering all available options--including legal actions against the infringer and, if necessary, the Games Convention exhibitor involved--in order to end this unauthorized and impermissible misuse of the Space Invaders content and to protect Taito's intellectual properties," concludes the release.

Stanley has responded by shutting down Invaders! at Games Convention.