Grand Theft Auto creator drags BBC to court over behind-the-scenes look at game.
The very famous video game Grand Theft Auto now has a game to play in the court, but these time its winner is not by means of military expertise but the winner proceeds from a jurisdictional combat with the court for the arena. The wildly popular game franchise Grand Theft Auto is now embroiled in a recent lawsuit.
Rockstar Games ,GTA developer, in the company of Rockstar owner and game publisher Take-Two Interactive, have entered into legal battle with the BBC by filing a lawsuit against the global media organisation, possibly on alleged infringements of trademark. The suit has a relationship with the development of a BBC docudrama called “Game Changer” which is as for now ongoing, which has its details on the real-life travails of the development of Grand Theft Auto.
The companies decided to file the suit to “ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC’s pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games,” a Rockstar spokesperson had revealed to the public in a statement. The spokesperson also in the statement had chipped in that the companies tried to enhance a negotiation with the broadcaster on how to use the trademeark of the Grand Theft Auto in the “Game Changer” but then they met little success as they had less to resort to than a lawsuit when the negotiation hit a dead end. The BBC didn’t at once publish a reply.
The lawsuit could be said to be the most recent touch of controversy when it comes to a franchise that’s been livng with controversies for over ten years now. Under Rockstar’s development, the franchise has seen complaints targeted at it from parent- and child-advocacy groups as regards claims that the game’s emphasis on violence, prostitution, foul language and sexual escapades is something the Pope would not recommend- inappropriate.
There is a sound backing to say that the largest controversy was 2005’s popular “Hot Coffee” scandal, which had displayed game footage of a sexual act which had occurred in the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas but were previously hidden. As this was uncovered to the public (talking the little game within the game), a foray of outbursts emanated from politicians. A class-action lawsuit was next on desk which was followed by the changing of the the game’s rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the official gaming governing body.
A major player among the opponents of the Grand Auto Theft Chief was Jack Thompson, an anti-video-game activist, whom had taken on Rockstar including the full body of the Grand Theft Auto series for the franchise’s alleged harmful influences on little teenagers and children. Thompson’s apathy for Grand Theft Auto and the later family of violent gaming became well renowned in the gaming circles.
Game Changer,” which was unveiled as far back in March and set to feature actor Daniel Radcliffe in the role of Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser, would then tell the story of the development and the precedent controversy of Grand Theft Auto. According to the BBC, Jack Thompson is among the chief figures in the movie which is represented by actor Bill Paxton. The film’s script well was a product of the book “Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto” written by the author David Kushner.
Take-Two and Rockstar have not said what they hope to get out of the lawsuit but said the move is designed to protect their intellectual property. Whether they could become involved in the BBC project in some way is unknown. Until now, neither Rockstar nor Take-Two has been involved in the 90-minute TV drama’s development.
