10 Times Video Games STOLE From Fans
5. Fortnite – Swipe First, Ask Questions Later
At this point, Fortnite has basically become the metaverse’s version of a pop culture vacuum cleaner - sucking up everything from Marvel skins to Billie Eilish concerts. But behind all the brand deals and flossing lies a murkier truth: Epic Games has a history of borrowing dance moves from real-life creators… without always asking first.
It started with “Swipe It,” an emote that looked suspiciously like rapper 2 Milly’s Milly Rock. He sued, Epic shrugged, and the case fizzled thanks to copyright law not really knowing what to do with choreography at the time. That should’ve been the end of it, but no - Fortnite kept stepping on toes.
In 2022, renowned choreographer Kyle Hanagami sued Epic for copying four counts of his routine for Charlie Puth’s “How Long.” Epic called it a coincidence, but the Ninth Circuit disagreed, ruling that the emote might actually infringe on protected choreography. Epic quietly settled in 2024.
Then in 2025, another lawsuit dropped - this time from Felix Burgos, who accused Fortnite of lifting his Touching the Sky routine beat for beat. And unlike earlier claims, this one came with choreography registrations and timestamped proof.