Reuters
Boxer Arguello sues over image in video game
Monday March 29, 6:31 pm ET
LOS ANGELES, March 29 (Reuters) - Legendary boxer Alexis Arguello has filed a lawsuit against video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. (NasdaqNM:ERTS - News), claiming that a series of its boxing games use his image without his permission.
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The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on March 26, names EA, Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s (7974.OS) U.S. arm and the U.S. games arm of Sony Corp. (Tokyo:6758.T - News) as defendants.
Arguello, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame with 80 victories, said in the suit that he learned in early 2003 the EA game "Knockout Kings" used his likeness after a fan asked him to autograph a copy of the game.
However, the suit said, Arguello has never endorsed the game or approved the use of his image. The "Knockout Kings" series ended in 2002, and EA is planning a new boxing game this year.
The suit, which claims infringement of the right of publicity and misappropriation of likeness among other complaints, seeks various damages and an order that existing copies of the game be collected and impounded.
An EA spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment on the suit. Representatives for Sony and Nintendo said their companies do not comment on pending litigation.
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