Rapper Sues Rockstar Over GTA Infringement

09 Dec 2010 at 11:31:33 by Dave Gibbon

A rapper has filed a lawsuit against Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar, claiming they used his likeness in the game without permission.

Cypress Hill rapper Michael ‘Shagg’ Washington says he was interview by Rockstar in 2003 about his ‘street life’, and he was told he would be notified if Rockstar would use him in the game.

The official complaint reads: "In or about July 2010, the Plaintiff learned from his young nephew that many people suspected he was 'CJ', the lead character in the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

"The plaintiff had never seen the game. He did not own or play video games, but it seemed possible that he had been included in the game," the complaint says. 

"He then recalled the meeting in or about 2003, and it began to dawn on him that his image had been stolen for the game.

"Upon examination of images of 'CJ' and comparison to his photos from that year and other evidence, it became clear that Rockstar had stolen his image and never paid him."

The rapper is demanding 25 per cent of the game’s profits – around £159 million – for fraud, misappropriation of likeness and infringement.

Rockstar has responded by saying it will ‘vigorously defend itself in the matter’.

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