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Rockstar Finally Wins a Lawsuit

Eurogamer is reporting that Rockstar Games has finally won a lawsuit. It's an important one too, involving a strip club's objection to its appearance (in satirized form) in the streets of San Andreas. From the article: "Rockstar conceded that its artists worked from photographs of real life LA locations - including the Play Pen - when designing the game, but argued that they 'changed the names, building designs and overall look and feel of the locations... To make them fit the virtual, cartoon-style world of San Andreas and the series' irreverent tone.' Rockstar also referred to the lawsuit MCA Records successfully defended over the song Barbie Girl, when the judge ruled that trademark rights 'do not entitle the owner to quash an unauthorized use of the mark by another who is communicating ideas or expressing points of view.'"

5 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. If.... by krell · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If these business don't like photos taken of them from public streets, they should cover their storefronts with plain brown paper and remove all identifying and distinguishing characteristics.

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    Where were you when the voynix came?
  2. Judge Morrow gets it by OECD · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Defendants' use of the Play Pen trade dress and trademark bears some artistic relevance to the game, and does not explicitly mislead consumers as to the source or content of the game."

    Very nice.

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    One man's -1 Flamebait is another man's +5 Funny.
    1. Re:Judge Morrow gets it by GJSchaller · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Defendants' use of the Play Pen trade dress..."

      Why does a strip club have a "trade dress"? You'd think that would be an oxymoron...

  3. I can't blame the club for trying by OakDragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Strip clubs have to look out for their reputations, and not be conflated with morally questionable products and/or activities.

  4. Rockastar! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny
    Eurogamer is reporting that Rockastar Games
    Rockastar is, of course, the Italian-based wing of Rockstar, headed by Senior Vice President Chico Marx. When approached for comment regarding the successful outcome to the lawsuit, Chico beamed and replied "Atsa good, boss!" before excusing himself to flirt with a passing blonde woman while playing an elaborate ragtime tune on a conveniently nearby piano.