A motion filed by EA to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed against it by 6,000 retired NFL players has failed, reports Gamasutra. As you’ll recall, the players that filed the suit claimed that their likenesses were used in Madden 09 without permission or compensation. While the player’s names and numbers were changed, vital and identifiable statistics were left unchanged.
Rather than argue that it in fact didn’t replicate real-world players without authorization, EA’s motion to dismiss postulated that Madden 09‘s use of player likenesses was covered by the First Amendment, and therefore did not require consent or compensation. Since this motion was denied, the case will move on to court. Plaintiffs are seeking legal fees, damages and all profits generated through the use of said plaintiffs’ likenesses.
Game on: NFL likeness lawsuit against EA moving forward originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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