Awesome Games has negotiated an out of court settlement with Bethesda, following the accusation that the indie had sold stolen copies of Fallout 3.

The Walthamstow-based independent admitted it had bought Fallout 3 from an unknown seller, believing it to be imported stock. However, the title had not been released, and Bethesda believed the goods to have been stolen. There was a BBFC logo on the front of the game.

Monetary damages were paid to Bethesda by the store’s proprietor Ahnes Qureshi, and injunctions were made against Awesome Games to prevent the outlet from infringing on Bethesda’s intellectual property rights in the future.

“We take such matters as the theft of our stock very seriously and will rigorously pursue any individual or company who perpetrates such acts,” commented Bethesda MD Sean Brennan.

“While it may be tempting to buy games from unknown sources and to release games early, it’s just not worth the risk, as Mr. Qureshi will attest.”

Ahnes Qureshi added: “I have learnt a lesson from this and I apologise unreservedly. It has cost me dearly and I will certainly never repeat this mistake. I would advise other indies not to buy from unofficial sources or they may end up in the same trouble I did.”