What a horrible shock it must have come for infamous dictator Manuel Noriega, discovering the Activision had used his likeness in their Call of Duty: Black Ops II game. The imprisoned ex-dictator of Panama is now taking legal action against the developer for “blatant misuse, unlawful exploitation and misappropriation for economic gain” by using his image in their game.
After being deposed in 1989, Noriega was convicted on charges of drug-trafficking, money-laundering and racketeering in the United States, we he did prison time until 2007. He was then sent to France to face similar charges and is now in Panama servicing another 20-year sentence. To put it simply, he’s been a very naughty boy.
“In an effort to increase the popularity and revenue generated by BLACK OPS II, defendants used, without authorization or consent, the image and likeness of plaintiff in BLACK OPS II.
“Defendants’ use of plaintiff’s image and likeness caused damage to plaintiff. Plaintiff was portrayed as an antagonist and portrayed as the culprit of numerous fictional heinous crimes, creating the false impression that defendants are authorized to use plaintiff’s image and likeness. This caused plaintiffs to receive profits they would not have otherwise received.”
This is a strange case indeed, as it could mean that all dictators who have been poorly portrayed in movies and games could start cases against developers and production studios. Which could get outlandish pretty quickly, just imagine Kim Jong Un suing Columbia Pictures, and winning!
Thank you Forbes for providing us with this information.
Image courtesy of Forbes.
Activision should laugh it off. He is a convicted felon and jailbird, he should have no rights apart from just basic rights. What did he care about other peoples rights while he was in power?