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Judge Says Video Games Can Use Sports Stars Likenesses
from the protected-by-the-first-amendment dept
Earlier court rulings have found that sports leagues cannot stop videos games from using player stats, since that's factual information. But, what about player likenesses? Many had assumed that was still forbidden without a license, but a new court ruling has found otherwise. Former football player Jim Brown had sued EA, claiming the use of his likeness violated his rights, but a district court judge has dismissed the case, saying that video games are "expressive works, akin to an expressive painting that depicts celebrity athletes of past and present in a realistic sporting environment," and thus are protected by the First Amendment. The case will almost certainly be appealed, but for now, it's a big win for video game makers and their ability to use player likenesses in their games without licensing them first.
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3D modelling
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Hmmm
http://techdirt.com/articles/20090910/1713046154.shtml
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I also assume there'll be international issues to deal with as well, since most NFL players are American, whereas in the NHL and MLB, you have a significant number of players from other countries. What happens if an individuals right to their likeness (whatever that means) in their country trumps an equivalent to the first amendment?
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Don't think so
The image of a celebrity is a large part of their "product". Andy Warhol demonstrated this point (to his credit).
Coming up with a game concept may be artistic (although, the concept of "sports games" can not in any way still be regarded as artistic. It's been done => not art. Art is novel, that's why we value it and protect it's representative output through copyright).
Making a game is more of a craftsmanship. Not to say their isn't art in craft. But if you're repeating it, it's no longer art. Art was when someone came up with a novel technique in the craft. A cool "hack" is art. But once it's reused, it's not art any more.
Packaging a game for mass market is not artistic. It's a business. Again, an initial business concept may have been "art". But these days, making a sports themed video game and packaging it up for the mass retail market doesn't even come close to art.
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Re: Don't think so
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Re: Don't think so
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interesting precident
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Re: Don't think so
Frank Zappa
"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it."
Frank Zappa
Ahhh, Frank knew. AC please try better. Start with 'credible' and then move onto 'bullshit'. When you start with 'bullshit' you're just a joke.
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Current Stars
Only players not represented by the Union, or players who expressly request their actual name be left out of said game (think MJ in the old NBA live franchise) can avoid being in the game. This court ruling sounds like it overrides the likeness aspect, but I'm still pretty sure they couldn't use the players name (as most famous athletes name's are TM'd)
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Does this apply to everyone?
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Finally video games triumph, but hopefully no longer
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