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Wrestler Maxx Payne Sues Game Publisher

Posted by simoniker on from the max-power-also-upset-over-simpsons dept.

Ryan Barrett writes "The Associated Press reports that retired WCW wrestler, actor, and voice actor Maxx Payne is suing a group of game developers and publishers over the game Max Payne. In Payne's words, "I left wrestling to come home to Utah and be with my family and I find myself in the biggest battle of my life - to save my identity." This raises an interesting question: in most cases like this, we Slashdotters are quick to speak out in Payne's defense. But when the big bad corporations are game developers, do we still take the little guy's side?" Is this suit exposing a genuine rip-off, or is it just a naming coincidence?

6 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. Disclaimer? by Joff_NZ · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't know.. I haven't looked at Max Payne in a while, but doesn't it include a "Not based on real persons living or dead" type disclaimer in it? Such things have been on the credits of movies and TV shows for as long as I can remember...

    Perhaps its needed for games now, to avoid lawsuits like this?

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    The revolution will not be televised. It won't be on a friggin blog either
  2. Huh? by chendo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I thought it was named Max Payne for Max Pain...

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    Founder of Mirror Moon - Tsukihime Game Trans
  3. Re:and this guy was christened maxxx payne? by cyb97 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well Jello Biafra was certainly pissed when california ruled that he wasn't allowed to run for mayor under his alias "Jello Biafra" and had to use his real name...

    For some people, their alias is what they're known by and might be just as important as their real name... Afterall it's what everybody know you as that count, if you ask me...

  4. Re:I doubt it was intentional by DrWho520 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Most people can discriminate between a pro wrestler and a game character; the hypothetical "reasonable person" appealed to so often in court cases like this one certainly could.

    You would think so, but people apparently cannot determine the difference between a buch of wrestlers and a bunch of pandas.

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    The cancel button is your friend. Do not hesitate to use it.
  5. Get a Patent by BigDork1001 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    MSN has an article about Leo DiCaprio patenting his name.

    Oh, and speaking of Leo, the "Gangs of New York" heartthrob has decided to really cover his rear by going the extra mile on a patent. Perhaps thinking that his famous name is more than, well, just a name, DiCaprio has applied to the Department of Commerce to have it trademarked. While it may sound a bit extreme to you or me, the 24-year-old star's trademark application has already received a preliminary approval from Commerce's Patent & Trademark Office. I guess that kills my chances at naming my firstborn after him! Oh well.

    Only in America.

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    "Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home" - Cicero
  6. Re:I doubt it was intentional by platipusrc · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The primary reason the wrestlers lost that case was because they foolishly signed a settlement to get them out of court in 1994. The settlement limited the current WWE's ability to use the WWF mark outside of the United States. If they had not settled and had gone to court instead, they probably would have won, and would still be the WWF (World Wrestling Federation).

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    And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians