Which dictator filed a lawsuit over his depiction in the video game “Call of Duty”? Explained
Manuel Noriega, the former dictator of Panama, initiated legal action against Activision, the publishers of the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” His grievance stemmed from his depiction within the game’s narrative, where he was portrayed as a villainous character. Noriega claimed that the game developers had unlawfully used his likeness without obtaining his consent, thereby damaging his reputation. He sought compensation for this unauthorized use of his image and the negative portrayal.
The legal battle revolved around the concept of right of publicity, which protects individuals from the unauthorized commercial exploitation of their likeness. Activision defended their portrayal of Noriega by invoking the First Amendment, arguing that their depiction fell under the umbrella of protected artistic expression within a fictional work. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Activision, dismissing Noriega’s lawsuit and setting a precedent regarding the portrayal of historical figures in video games and other forms of creative media.
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