"Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

[Shawn Zipay]

John "Big Dawg" Thompson, is suing EA for his likeness being used in Madden NFL. Big Dawg is a hardcore Cleveland Browns fan that is best known for wearing his #98 jersey and bug eyed dog mask.

No, not just because it misrepresents his jersey's number (98 in real life, 92 in the game) -- it's because EA Sports is using his likeness without ever having actually asked permission.

So John Thompson (not to be confused with that other Thompson) has filed a complaint at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas seeking restitution "in excess of $25,000." He's also looking to block EA's ability to sell the game or use "the Big Dawg character" without his expressed permission in the future.

With Madden NFL 10 on the store shelves already, has an in-game Big Dawg clone shown up again? If it were your likeness in the game, would you sue the company or embrace it as a monument to your popularity?

[CptainCrunch]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

WEAK! Unless he invented and copyrighted the look, he is going to lose big time, and rightly so.

Which, if I remember the Microsoft vs. Apple lawsuits, you can't own a look.

If my likeness was in a game, I would use that to my advantage, not sue and cry over it.

Crunch

[DesertFalcon]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

This guys just out for money, if someone were to put my likeness in a video game as popular as Madden I would be flattered. I would much rather have my likeness in a video game without being paid then to not have my likeness in a video game and not getting paid. This guy seems like a douche.

[Shawn Zipay]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

But it's only $25,000. You'd think if he was out for money he'd have pushed for a lot more, no?

[CptainCrunch]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

But it's only $25,000. You'd think if he was out for money he'd have pushed for a lot more, no?

That could be or he realizes that is easy hush money. EA write the guy a check and everything goes away type money.

Crunch

[groundedzero]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

IDK, this could be a split arguement. Quick cash? Real money? Plain idiot?
I can't really determine without a reason from the real dude himself...

And if he's so popular, how come I've never heard of the guy????

[troybob]

Re: "Big Dawg" Suing EA Over Madden 09 Likeness

I would sue too.

It's BS to be included in a game when no one even asked you.