Friday, November 2, 2012

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas $250 Million Lawsuit Fails

I thought this was very interesting. With GTAV coming out soon, I honestly cannot wait for a return to San Andreas. San Andreas, the game itself was a masterpiece.
This guy, a Cypress Hill backup singer Michael "Shagg" Washington tried to sue Rockstar for using his life story and his physical appearance in the game. I think it's dumb. If anything, it's good for you as you're respected over millions of players of this game who know the character was modeled after you. Infact, I did not after reading this article from GameSpot. Check it out Below.


From GameSpot

Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive has won a lawsuit over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, writes The Hollywood Reporter. An appellate court judge on Wednesday denied Cypress Hill backup singer Michael "Shagg" Washington's claims that Rockstar used his life story and physical appearance as a basis for protagonist Carl "CJ" Johnson.
Washington sued Take-Two in 2010 for $250 million, alleging that during the course of the game's development, he met with Rockstar to discuss details regarding his former life as a gang member. He even provided the company with a photo of himself and his name appears in the GTA: San Andreas credits.
However, a judge did not find this to be enough, and a California appeals court has concurred. Washington's principal problem was that he could not prove it was his likeness that appeared in San Andreas. The judge said, "Plaintiff is relying entirely on CJ's physical appearance in the game, but that appearance is so generic that it necessarily includes hundreds of other black males."
Additionally, the judge ruled that even if Rockstar did base CJ on Washington, it would have been protected as transformative fair use. This is an argument based on the fact that the First Amendment allows existing materials, including images, to be used so long as they are amended enough for a new purpose.
"Washington has presented no evidence demonstrating that the plot or characters of GTA: San Andreas have any relevance to his life or his purported fame," a statement from the decision reads.

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