Copyright Law
Video game violates copyright by using tattoos of NBA stars, suit alleges
A video game maker is facing a lawsuit that contends its use of tattoos of five basketball stars—including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant—is a copyright violation.
The suit was filed Monday in Manhattan federal court by Solid Oak Sketches, which acquired licenses to the eight tattoos at issue from three artists last year, report Reuters, Bloomberg News and the Hollywood Reporter.
The defendants are Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., maker of the NBA 2K16 video game, and two related companies.
The suit acknowledges that “the issue of tattoo copyrightability has yet to be decided upon in court due to numerous settlements preventing a final judicial opinion.”
Related article:
ABA Journal: “Tattoo artists are asserting their copyright claims”
