WWE In Legal Trouble Over Their 2K Video Game Series

WWE is producing its 2K Games annually since 2000. The series of wrestling simulation video games saw its latest installment 2K Battleground releasing earlier this month. However, the company is now going to trial over the games, thanks to a tattoo artist.

According to reports, Catherine Alexander is suing WWE, Take-Two Interactive Software, 2K Games, 2K Sports, Visual Concepts, and Yuke’s for using her work in the WWE 2K game series without her consent. The Illinois based tattoo artist has been tattooing Randy Orton since 2003.

WWE laughed off Catherine Alexander’s attempts

According to Alexander, she owns the copyright to the designs on Orton’s body that are featured in 2K’s wrestling video games. She previously reached out to the company in 2009 but her attempts for securing the rights were ridiculed. WWE offered her a $450 compensation which she declined.

“The person (at WWE) laughed at me and said I had no grounds, and they can do what they want with his images,” she testified. “He is their wrestler.”

She’s responsible for the tribal tattoo on his upper back, full sleeves, a Bible verse, a dove, skulls, and a rose and owns the copyright to them all.

However, WWE is now under fire. On Saturday, an Illinois federal judge handed her partial summary judgment in favor of Alexander. The judge said that WWE and Take-Two Interactive Software copied the artist’s work, even if it was for recreational purposes.

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Now, another jury will decide whether this could be increased to copyright infringement. Randy Orton’s claim over an “implied license” will be the clinching factor in the case.

The former world Champion said he deems the tattoos to be a part of his personal expression. He never realized he or his employers will need further permission to make them visible.

Previously, Take-Two faced a similar copyright issue. The company previously won a case against a group of artists claiming to own the tattoo designs of LeBron James, Kenyon Martin, and Eric Bledsoe in the NBA 2K series.

Hopefully, the Jury will rule the judgment in favor of justice. What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments below.