Switch off Match of the Day and replace that cup of cocoa for something stronger, because things are really heating up online. A handful of court documents have revealed that Sony is in the process of suing Bridgestone and advertising agency Wildcat Creek – which just so happens to be managed by Jerry Lambert, the actor best known for portraying bogus PlayStation president Kevin Butler.
The lawsuit follows the release of a controversial Bridgestone commercial featuring Lambert playing Mario Kart Wii. Unsurprisingly, the court documents were filed just days after the advertisement hit the Internet. The infringement listed is trademark related, but online speculation suggests that Lambert may have signed a non-compete clause with Sony – which he’s likely to have broken by flaunting a Wii Wheel around on public television.
Still, the whole scenario strikes us as desperately petty. Even if the platform holder did feel betrayed by seeing its ‘VP of Everything’ pimping a competitor’s product, a quiet word with the offending parties might have been a more appropriate solution. We doubt the ensuing “Sony Sues Kevin Butler” headlines are going to do much for the fake executive’s future as a PlayStation spokesperson.
You should probably consider that LittleBigPlanet Karting pre-order bonus as the last you’re going to see of the sarcastic suit.
[source dockets.justia.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 12
LOL Sony
I'm surprised he even appeared in that commercial given how he's essentially a Sony mascot now.
Too bad, i like KB. But yeah this is definetly the last time he'll wear the PS logo.
Those non-compete agreements seem to cause a lot of legal trouble. A lot of people sign them, but they seem hard to enforce.
Seems like a pretty stupid thing for Sony to get upset about. There are much bigger issues they company should be concerned with first.
The clause is part of a contract so he broke contract on his part doing that.
kevins commercials were halarious and I highly doubt that commercial will do anything to hurt Sony, plus grow up Sonyyou are not the only gaming system out there and the Wii had already sold more than the ps3 could dream, legal issues ruining everything
I understand contacts but they don't always stands remember big been wreck on his motorcycle without helmet contract said he had to wear one, little
happened
LOL WUT? Really suing for a commercial about compatition, what does Sony own the actor who plays Kevin Butler?
Damn! I was hoping to see him as a secret character in Sony all star battle!
@Jaydg1977: Given development cycles, that COULD have already been programmed...I wouldn't count on it, but it's possible.
I remember when the story about that commercial was funny. Leave it to lawyers to mess that one up. Maybe if Sony had kept making use of the Kevin Butler character, Lambert would have had to do this other ad!
He signed a "non-compete" contract? So when did Sony start selling automobile tires?
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