Cyberpunk 2077 VR Mod Creator Faces Piracy Backlash After DMCA Strike

A high-profile dispute between a modder and a game developer has taken a dramatic turn, with the creator claiming that users are now pirating his software as a form of punishment. Luke Ross, known for his R.E.A.L. VR mods for popular titles, found his Cyberpunk 2077 VR conversion removed from his Patreon page after a DMCA strike from CD Projekt Red.

The situation escalated when Ross stated that instead of supporting his decision to fight the takedown, a segment of the community has begun illegally distributing the mod. This backlash comes after Ross refused to make the mod free to comply with the developer's terms of service, leading to a complex debate over intellectual property rights, modder compensation, and community expectations.

The conflict began on January 9, 2026, when Patreon alerted Luke Ross to a DMCA notice from CD Projekt Red. The notice targeted his Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod, which he had already taken down from his platform. Ross described having "absolutely no say in the matter," noting that Patreon had already complied with the request and made the mod inaccessible.

Following the takedown, Ross attempted to open negotiations with the developer to find a "mutually beneficial solution." However, he reported that CD Projekt Red replied with a firm stance, stating he needed to comply with its terms of service. According to Ross, there was "no negotiation, no comments on my proposals, no interest for instance in knowing how many of their users would be affected by the sudden removal."

The core issue, as clarified by Jan Rosner, VP of Business Development at CD Projekt Red, was the mod's monetization. Rosner explained that the company issued the strike because the VR mod was a paid product, which violates their fan content guidelines.

We never allow monetization of our IP without our direct permission and/or an agreement in place.

Rosner further stated that the company had been in touch with Ross, informing him that the mod needed to be made free for everyone or removed entirely.

The dispute hinges on a fundamental disagreement over the nature of the software. CD Projekt Red classifies the mod as "fan content," subject to their guidelines. However, Luke Ross strongly contests this characterization, insisting his work is independent software that does not infringe on the developer's intellectual property rights.

Ross argues that his VR framework supports over 40 games built on various engines and contains "absolutely zero code or assets" from Cyberpunk 2077. He drew a comparison to other software tools, suggesting that labeling his mod as derivative work is akin to claiming that screen-capturing utilities violate copyright simply because they process on-screen images.

I'm sorry but I don't believe you are within your rights in demanding that my software needs to be free. It is not 'derivative work' or 'fan content'.

When asked if he would make the mod free to comply with the terms, Ross expressed hesitation. He noted that creating a version that supports only Cyberpunk 2077 would be a "non-trivial task" due to the complexity of his multi-game framework. Additionally, he worried about the reaction from his Patreon subscribers, who have supported his development efforts for years.

As the debate unfolded, Luke Ross reported that the situation evolved into a "moot point" due to a surge in piracy. He claims that users, fearing the loss of VR support for their favorite games, have begun illegally exchanging the mod across the internet. According to Ross, these individuals are openly stating that since he was not complying with CD Projekt Red's terms of service, his work is now "fair game." He summarized the sentiment as a desire to punish him for the mod's removal.

Online commentary appears to support Ross's claims. One social media user stated, "I’m glad some people have found ways to pirate his shitty mods, he deserves it." Another user claimed to be working on transferring the mod files to their own PC with the intent to release the VR mod for free.

Additional comments criticized Ross's decision not to pivot to a donation-based model, which some developers allow. One commenter noted, "He already made his money, he had options, and he still chose the nuclear one. End result is players lose the only real Cyberpunk VR experience." Another former supporter wrote on Ross's Patreon page, "They gave you a way to keep it alive, and you decided to be a greedy little bish about it... I'll just steal your mods from now on."

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between game developers and the modding community regarding monetization and intellectual property. The core conflict revolves around whether a modder's work constitutes derivative fan content or independent software, and at what point it requires official licensing or permission.

The fallout demonstrates how quickly community sentiment can shift. What began as a legal dispute over terms of service has morphed into a public relations challenge for the mod creator, with some users turning to piracy as a form of protest against his stance. The situation serves as a case study in the delicate balance between protecting IP and fostering community goodwill.

Ultimately, both the developer and the modder have drawn clear lines in the sand. CD Projekt Red has asserted its right to control monetization of its IP, while Luke Ross has defended his software's independence. The resulting piracy wave suggests that in the court of public opinion, the outcome may be more complex than a simple legal ruling.