Take-Two named in Ghost Rider lawsuit
Creator is very cross.
Gary Friedrich, creator of the Ghost Rider comic book, has filed suit against Take-Two and other companies involved with developing the recent movie tie-in and related products, GamesIndustry.biz reports.
The Ghost Rider film, which stars Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes, was released in February. Take-Two published the videogame under the 2K Games label around the same time on GBA, PS2 and PSP. Also named in the suit are Sony Pictures, Marvel Enterprises, Columbia TriStar, Hasbro, Relativity Media, Crystal Sky Pictures and Michael De Luca Productions.
Friedrich is accusing the companies of embarking on a "joint venture and conspiracy to exploit, profit from and utilise" the Ghost Rider copyright, according to Reuters.
The suit claims that this included, but was not limited to, the use of the character "in movie theatre presentations and promotions, commercials, action figure toys, videogames, clothing and novels". There are 21 alleged violations in total.
Friedrich is seeking unspecified damages for alleged copyright infringement, violations of competition laws, negligence, waste, misuse and unauthorised use of characters, "tortuous interference with prospective business expectancy" and false advertising.
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