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Licensing Likenesses For Sports Games
mojotooth writes "According to an article on The Register (via Gamesindustry.biz), German courts have handed down a ruling that the EA Sports game FIFA World Cup 2002 cannot be sold in Germany, because it features the name and likeness of Bundesleague goalkeeper Oliver Kahn without his express permission. The court has not yet handed down damages. This could be troubling to the sports gaming industry - we might be forced back into the dark ages of sports gaming, where team names and jersey numbers could be used, but not the names or likenesses of the players."
If anyone played this NES game (I'm pretty sure it was endorsed by clemens, or some other good pitcher') It only had his permission, so they changed all the names of every single major league player slightly, which made it quite hilarious to figure out who was who.
(Now pitching, Tim Glavoon).
"I only speak the truth"
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Dang, now games may have to be sold based on their gameplay mechanics and merits instead of relying on borrowing famous names.
It is more productive to voice thoughtful opinions (reply) than to judge (moderate) others.
There has to be some kid somewhere named "Micheal Jordan" who is a fairly good basket ball player... Why not pay that kid for his likeness and name? I'm sure it would be alot cheaper then the real guy.