
BBC's planned television drama, currently titled Game Changer, is about the controversy surrounding Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto series. The plot follows the long dispute between Sam Houser, Rockstar's president, and Jack Thompson, the outspoken lawyer and critic who says that video games cause real world violence.
Rockstar has now filed a lawsuit against the BBC over the feature via its parent company, Take-Two Interactive. When asked by IGN about the lawsuit, Rockstar said that it was over trademark infringement.
"Take-Two Interactive has filed a suit against the BBC for trademark infringement based on their movie currently titled Game Changer as it relates to Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto video game series," a spokesperson said.
The firm continued: "While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project. Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC's pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games. We have attempted multiple times to resolve this matter with the BBC without any meaningful resolution. It is our obligation to protect our intellectual property, and unfortunately in this case litigation was necessary."
A BBC spokesperson told IGN that it would not comment on legal matters. Rest assured, though, we're reaching out to both parties in this story. What do you think of all this drama over a drama? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source ign.com]
Comments 11
I don't think Rockstar has any reason to be worried even if they do misrepresent GTA in the drama the franchise has been built on controversy
I can't believe they didn't get permission to make this before signing up people like Daniel Radcliffe. Then again, I kinda can believe it...
Funny how the shoes now on the other foot. Let them do it rockstar, remember "no publicity is bad publicity". You did say that at the original gta launch didn't you?
Pretty uptight...What are they afraid of?
Honestly, it took me a moment to realize this wasn't a documentary. Does anyone really even want a drama about this? And will anyone be able to see Radcliffe as not Harry Potter?
I'd love to read the entire complaint/answer. Sounds like BBC didn't believe they were serious? We're as litigious as you get here in CA, gotta trust us about that.
They're protecting their rights. If you don't sue for infringement then you lose your right to later. Hands were tied
Man, Daniel Radcliffe must be hard up for work.
Whoa... Why in the hell would anyone make a TV show about Rockstar... Without actually consulting Rockstar? Truly mind boggling...
I find it hilarious that they forgot to ask Take-two and Rockstar before going ahead and casting for this...lol.
The only word that comes to mind concerning Rockstar is "litigation"
I dont think you need someones permission to make a movie about them. Youre just not allowed to use the GTA logo and name etc. to sell the movie. And after the movie comes out and its a horrible deformation of facts and it makes you look bad you can sue them for making you look bad (no idea how you say that in English), if you can prove it is not the truth theyre depicting
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