Manuel Noriega sues Activision over Call of Duty

[COKid]

Manuel Noriega, the former dictator of Panama, is suing Call of Duty's video games publisher.

 

The ex-military ruler is seeking lost profits and damages after a character based on him featured in Activision's 2012 title Black Ops II.

 

The 80-year-old is currently serving a jail sentence in Panama for crimes committed during his time in power, including the murder of critics.

 

One lawyer said this was the latest in a growing trend of such lawsuits.

 

"In the US, individuals have what's called the right to publicity, which gives them control over how their person is depicted in commerce including video games," explained Jas Purewal, an interactive entertainment lawyer.

 

"There's also been a very well-known action by a whole series of college athletes against Electronic Arts, and the American band No Doubt took action against Activision over this issue among other cases.

 

"It all focuses upon the American legal ability for an individual to be only depicted with their permission, which in practice means payment of a fee.

 

"But Noriega isn't a US citizen or even a resident. This means that his legal claim becomes questionable, because it's unclear on what legal basis he can actually bring a case against Activision."

 

Source and more: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-28326670

 

 

Image Credit: BBC News, Activision

[trag3dy]

I didn't know jails in Panama were part of the US. Good to know, I guess.

[COKid]

Case dismissed.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29811512

[soniqstylz]

He needs to get Ed O'Bannon's lawyers.

[Dick Montage]

I think if you are a dictator to the level of Noriega, you become part of history, part of geography, part of economy, you basically become part of the fabric of the worlds story.

 

As such, likeness rights kinda go out of the window.

[123456789A]

In other news, Hitler is also suing the makers of Wolfenstein 3D.

[Draconian Guppy]

I think if you are a dictator to the level of Noriega, you become part of history, part of geography, part of economy, you basically become part of the fabric of the worlds story.

 

As such, likeness rights kinda go out of the window.

any press is good press, which is what he is doing, imo this will just get more attention and more games...

 

In other news, Hitler is also suing the makers of Wolfenstein 3D.

:rofl:

[soniqstylz]

Next thing you know, Frank Underwood will be suing Activision.