Tetris suggests White House ‘Build the Wall’ game infringes copyright

The Tetris Company appeared to warn the White House Friday that its new online arcade based on President Trump’s policies may constitute copyright infringement.

The site, launched Thursday, features games emulating the style of arcade classics. One of these video games, “Build the Wall,” uses mechanics that closely resemble those of Tetris. But in the White House’s version, players stack Tetris-like blocks to prevent zombies and other creatures from crossing the southern border into the U.S.

“The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall,’” the game company said in a statement on social media Friday, adding, “We take copyright infringement very seriously.”

A company spokesperson told Variety the White House “did not authorize or license the Tetris brand or intellectual property for the game.”

The spokesperson added that Tetris was “reviewing the matter” when asked whether the company was considering legal action.

“Build the Wall” one of five games currently available. Subtitled “Zombie Border Siege,” it instructs players to “protect the border from the coming horde.” Allowing blocks to reach the top of the screen, much like in Tetris, ends the game.

Unlike the classic video game, however, a message reading “BORDER BREACHED” appears on screen when players lose.

“At Tetris, we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them,” Tetris said in its social media post Friday.

The Tetris-like game is one of two games focused on the administration’s immigration policy. Another immigration-themed game titled “Rio Run” — resembling the popular “snake” video game format — depicts an agent conducting “border patrol along the Rio Grande.”

The arcade also includes “Trump Savings Tycoon,” which has players collect money for Trump Accounts; “Supply Line,” which focuses on the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative; and the White House’s spin on the popular game Flappy Bird called “Flappy Bill,” which features a bald eagle carrying legislation while it navigates obstacles above the National Mall.