Former Dictator Suing Activision For Call of Duty: Black Ops II Appearance

36
Richard Walker

Lindsay Lohan isn't the only one taking action over an alleged likeness in a video game, as former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is launching a lawsuit against Activision over the use of his likeness in Call of Duty: Black Ops II without his prior consent.

Noriega was convicted in 1992 for a number of crimes including drug dealing, racketeering and money laundering, before leaving prison in 2007. He was then imprisoned in Panama and still resides there. He's now suing Activision for "blatant misuse, unlawful exploitation and misappropriation for economic gain" of his image in Black Ops II.

"In an effort to increase the popularity and revenue generated by Black Ops II, defendants used, without authorisation or consent, the image and likeness of plaintiff in Black Ops II," the complaint reads. The lawsuit also states that his appearance in the game caused "damage" to Noriega, due the character being "portrayed as an antagonist and portrayed as the culprit of numerous fictional heinous crimes, creating the false impression that defendants are authorised to use plaintiff's image and likeness."

Here's an image of Noriega in Black Ops II versus his real-life counterpart.

[Courthouse News via Gamasutra]

Comments
36
  • Now this must be LOL of the week. I swear, I should start looking for my ugly mug in video games. Who know, maybe I have a lawsuit on my hands, just because someone looks like me haha!
  • Oh man, this is some funny stuff right here.
  • It's not just looking like him. It is him... Valid argument imo
  • LOL... At least this guy has a case since COD didnt even go to the effort of changing the characters name. Unlike Lindsey Lohan sueing GTAV.
  • I actually believe he has a point especially if he didn't give approval
  • So a former dictator convicted of multiple crimes and still in prison is portrayed in a video game as doing the things he was legally convicted of and he's able to sue for that? So does that mean Kim Jung Un is right to nuke us over Seth Rogan's new movie about assassinating him? Because if you can't portray a proven dictator as a dictator, something's gone horribly wrong.
  • He was imprisoned for committing a variety of felonies. Spoiler alert: that makes him an antagonist. This is kinda silly though. I understand fair use and all but when you are portraying semi-historical events and using a known criminal as a...criminal, I don't think there should be an issue. Convicted criminals shouldn't even have rights outside of fair treatment and appeals.
  • Unlike Lindsay Lohan, this actually has substance.
  • This game came out almost 2 years ago and he's just now suing?
  • That is him, quick shoot him before he gets any dirty money from dirty Activision.LOL
  • Good luck going to trial from your cell you fucking retard. who takes this seriously lol.
  • Can anybody help me out that knows a little law? I know what drug dealing and money laundering is, but what is "racketeering"? Thanks in advance for anybodys help. :)
  • @12 , I think racketeering is either smuggling people or smuggling guns . This guys law suit is BS and somebody should assassinate him .
  • sue activision for all there worth so we wont have to see another COD game again LOL
  • @@#12,13 You can google it, but racketeering is basically gaining money illegally by cheating the system or ppl. There is a book by John Grisham by the same title that I strongly recommend to anyone who like legal thrillers, that one is a trip, save for kinda weak ending...
  • Racketeering is: A person who commits crimes such as extortion, loansharking, bribery, and obstruction of justice in furtherance of illegal business activities. (Source TheFreeDictionary)
  • At last this guy has a reason to sue since Activision used his real name and likeness without asking permission. That is a legitimate complaint, unlike the Lindsay Lohan case where that character does not resemble her by name or likeness. If he's dead, it's a different story since they can't ask permission of a dead man, but because he's alive, he shouldn't have been a real person in the game unless Activision asked him for permission previously.
  • @11 He was released in 2007. Although I agree with most that he already defamed his name before Activision let the world aware of it. Didn't know you could sue for people telling the truth.....
  • If he's suing in the U.S. his lawsuit has NO chance because of the truth of his character (dictator convicted of crimes) and the fact he's a public figure (private citizens have more rights than celebrities or politicians in this case). However, if he filed the lawsuit elsewhere he could win -- depending on what the local laws are there. For example, it could be illegal in Panama to use someone's likeness without permission. If that is the case, and I'm not sure it is or isn't, than if Call of Duty was sold in Panama then he may have a case against Activision. To me it sounds like the lawsuit of a man who desperately needs money.
  • He's only just noticed his likeness coz he picked up Black Ops n the sale!
  • This is pathetic. While the guy has substance that they used him in Black Ops 2, this case isn't going to get very far. I'd be really surprised if it did. And while maybe Activision should have asked for permission to avoid something like this, I can understand why they wouldn't. I mean they did use him for their own story, but they also had him in there as part of historical events, so it could be seen as used for educational purposes (I use that term very loosely in this context). Also, who's really gonna go and ask a former dictator if they can use him in their story where he is *gasp* still a dictator doing shitty things? "Hey can we use you in our video game where you're made out to look like even more of an asshole and a dick?" (No pun intended) This is quite the entertaining story though. It'll be interesting to see how Activison responds to this.
  • Can't believe this is him only realising 2 years on :/ lol
  • Ahhhh this explains the crap COD "sale" this is why it's so bad, they need money for this
  • Thanks for answering my question, @13, 15 & 16. Also, thanks in advance to all who reply to me after my comment, as well. @15, I could have Googled it, but sometimes I have comprehensive problems, so I appreciate you breaking it down for me, mate. :)
  • I look just like Desmond from AC. Assassin's Cash-in's, here I come!
  • OK, Next week, we'll have representatives of Adolf Hitler, despite the fact he's dead, declare that everyone must remove references to Nazis and Nazism from all video games, especially that propaganda machine known as Wolfenstein 3D. Then they all must remove all references to Korea being two countries, and actually agree that Korea must be united under Kim Jong Un. Oh yes, and all games which have Islamic, Muslim or Arabic Terrorists must remove them and replace them with generic white men of no real ethnic background... ...Who am I kidding? Seriously, if this court case actually goes through and his likeness is removed, we could seriously see that kind of absolute f-ing stupidity in video games.
  • @25 There a difference between you looking like a character & a character being made to look like you call of duty clearly made the character to look like him
  • Terrorist? Sorry, case dismissed.
  • He could win the case if he goes through the European courts. Whether you're a criminal or not, everyone has a right to privacy. He says he does not agree of his likeness being used for profit (COD game is a game made for profit), then they should remove all references of him, which is impossible so therefore compensation is the only option - or stocks/shares LOL...
  • i find really offensive that some people see panama as a freakin jungle, man we are civilised people for God sake. off course black ops II was sold here. i mean dude wtf you guys in EEUU dont go to geography or any history class?
  • @6+7: You two have hit the nail on the head.
  • My character in Mass Effect looks just like me! Plus since I live in Arizona so I deal with aliens everyday so they kinda stole my story. Time to cash in!!
  • @30 it's the yanks mate talk to the Americans we aren't ignorant like them.
  • Hmmmm.....I look like Master Chief. Can I sue for that? :P
  • @33 Because generalizations are ALWAYS true -_-
  • Bullshit lawsuit is bullshit.
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