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Grand Theft Auto developer sues the BBC

Written by James Delahunty @ 21 May 2015 7:20 User comments (4)

Grand Theft Auto developer sues the BBC

Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games has filed a lawsuit against the BBC in the UK over a film starring Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.
'Game Changer' is a drama being made about the public and legal spats between Rockstar Games and anti-gaming (disbarred) lawyer Jack Thompson. It stars Daniel Radcliffe as Sam Houser, co-founder and President of Rockstar Games, while the role of Thompson is filled by Bill Paxton.

Rockstar Games confirmed that it has sued the BBC over the upcoming feature, citing its desire to protect its intellectual property and trademarks.

"Take-Two Interactive has filed suit against the BBC for trademark infringement based on their movie currently titled'Game Changer' as it relates to Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto video game series," the firm said in a statement, published by IGN.

"While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project. Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC's pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games. We have attempted multiple times to resolve this matter with the BBC without any meaningful resolution. It is our obligation to protect our intellectual property and unfortunately in this case litigation was necessary."



Jack Thompson repeatedly blasted video games like Grand Theft Auto as murder simulators, claiming that they play a role in tragic events including school shootings. He attempted to link video games to increased violence in teenagers, and had a long stare down with Rockstar Games in particular just over a decade ago.


Source: IGN

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4 user comments

121.5.2015 22:37

As much as I admire Rockstar, I believe they are over-reaching themselves here. I think they have as much right to stop this as Mark Zuckerberg might have had stopping the Facebook movie The Social Network.







222.5.2015 00:48

Originally posted by Jemborg:
As much as I admire Rockstar, I believe they are over-reaching themselves here. I think they have as much right to stop this as Mark Zuckerberg might have had stopping the Facebook movie The Social Network.


Rock Star isn't a crazed dictator that has his own men blown to pieces by anti aircraft fire. they just want there royalties, you don't make a Iron Man movie and not pay Marvel Comics.

GTA5 is closer to Need for Speed meets Fast and Furious, than hooker killer 3.

322.5.2015 02:52

Originally posted by DXR88:
Originally posted by Jemborg:
As much as I admire Rockstar, I believe they are over-reaching themselves here. I think they have as much right to stop this as Mark Zuckerberg might have had stopping the Facebook movie The Social Network.


Rock Star isn't a crazed dictator that has his own men blown to pieces by anti aircraft fire. they just want there royalties, you don't make a Iron Man movie and not pay Marvel Comics.

GTA5 is closer to Need for Speed meets Fast and Furious, than hooker killer 3.
They are not making a GTA movie Dex.

As long as they state that it's a semi-fictionalised account based on (or inspired by) history/facts then they can say what they like.

Rockstars' stuff is out there and therefore subject to fair comment and artistic licence. Tough-titties Sam & Co.


423.5.2015 10:41

Thanked Jaddaaaaaaaaaaaa


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