NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown has filed a lawsuit in New York claiming Sony and video game maker Electronic Arts are using his name and likeness without his permission.
The former Cleveland Browns star’s lawsuit said the companies sell a game featuring a character who looks like him and wears his No. 32. It doesn’t specify which video game, but notes the character is part of the game’s All Brown’s Team.
Brown seeks unspecified damages and an injunction barring the companies from “taking a free ride on the trade value” of the former running back’s name and image.
The 72-year-old played nine seasons with the Browns, before turning to Hollywood where he appeared in “The Dirty Dozen” and other movies.
Spokesmen for Sony USA Inc. and Electronics Arts Inc. did not return calls seeking comment. ESPN
Why is he suing Sony? He should only be suing EA because EA is the only company that hold the NFL license to create Football games base on the NFL teams and players.
I was wondering the same thing. Suing sony makes no sense.
After some more research, it may seem that he is suing over Madden 2001. That game wasn’t on the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. But it was on the ps2 and the Nintendo 64. So to just sue Sony and EA make no sense. He should also be suing Nintendo. Second, Sony shouln’t even be mention in this case. Sony wasn’t the ones developing and producing this game. EA is they only one to be blame here.
Only thing I can think of is if Sony used him in any type of advert. But I have no idea.
Jim Brown has lost his mind over the years.