Title: The Dictator Who Sued Call of Duty: A Fascinating Tale of Power, Politics, and Video Games
Introduction:
Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings. They have evolved from simple pixelated graphics to immersive and realistic worlds that can transport us to distant lands and times. But with great power comes great responsibility, and sometimes video games can be the subject of controversy, especially when they involve real-life figures. In this post, we will dive deep into the intriguing story of a dictator who filed a lawsuit over his depiction in the video game “Call of Duty.”
Section 1: The Dictator in Question
h3: Who is the Dictator?
The dictator in question is Manuel Noriega, the former military leader of Panama who ruled the country from 1983 to 1989. Noriega was a controversial figure who was known for his involvement in drug trafficking and human rights abuses. He was eventually overthrown by a US-led invasion and spent the rest of his life in prison before passing away in 2017.
Section 2: Noriega and Call of Duty
h3: The Depiction of Noriega in Call of Duty
In the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” Noriega is portrayed as a villain who aids the game’s main antagonist. The likeness of Noriega is used in the game’s storyline, and the character even has lines of dialogue that were recorded by the real Noriega himself. The game was released in 2012, and it quickly became a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion in its first 15 days on the market.
h3: The Lawsuit Against Activision
In July 2014, Noriega filed a lawsuit against Activision, the makers of Call of Duty, for using his likeness without his permission. He claimed that he was portrayed as a “kidnapper, murderer, and enemy of the state,” and that the use of his image was an infringement of his right of publicity. The lawsuit sought damages of $80 million, and it was seen by many as a publicity stunt by the former dictator.
Section 3: The Outcome of the Lawsuit
h3: The Dismissal of the Lawsuit
In October 2014, a California judge dismissed Noriega’s lawsuit, ruling that the use of his likeness in Call of Duty was protected under the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to free speech. The judge stated that the inclusion of Noriega in the game was a form of artistic expression, and that it did not constitute an endorsement or sponsorship of the former dictator.
h3: The Significance of the Ruling
The ruling was seen as a victory for Activision and the video game industry as a whole. It established that the use of real-life figures in video games is protected under the First Amendment, as long as it is done in the context of artistic expression. This has paved the way for more games to include real-life figures, and it has ensured that video games are recognized as a legitimate form of artistic expression.
FAQs:
Q: Was Noriega the only real-life figure to sue a video game company?
A: No, there have been other cases of real-life figures suing video game companies over their depiction in games, such as Lindsay Lohan’s lawsuit against Rockstar Games over her likeness in “Grand Theft Auto V.”
Q: Did Noriega ever receive any money from Activision?
A: No, Noriega’s lawsuit was dismissed, and he did not receive any money from Activision.
Q: Can video game companies use anyone’s likeness without their permission?
A: No, video game companies must be careful when using real-life figures in their games. They must ensure that their use of the likeness is protected by the First Amendment and does not infringe on the subject’s right of publicity.
Conclusion:
The story of Manuel Noriega’s lawsuit against Activision is a fascinating tale of power, politics, and video games. It has shown us that video games are a legitimate form of artistic expression, and that the use of real-life figures in games is protected by the First Amendment. While Noriega’s lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, it has paved the way for more games to include real-life figures, and it has ensured that the video game industry will continue to evolve and grow.