Ex-Dictator Manuel Noriega is Suing Activision Over Call of Duty

[Shawn Zipay]

Manuel Noriega is a former Panamanian dictator and he seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Call of Duty franchise. Namely, he's rather upset over Call of Duty: Black Ops II due to that particular game featuring a mission where the players have to capture him.

Noriega has filed the lawsuit this Tuesday with the Los Angeles County Superior Court against Activision Blizzard.

Noriega -- convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering and killing political opponents -- is serving out a prison sentence in Panama, where he was extradited in 2011.

He argues in the lawsuit that his portrayal "as a kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state" in the 2012 video game damaged his reputation. The company used his image and name in order to make money, the lawsuit says, therefore he's entitled to a share of the profits.

"Plaintiff was portrayed as an antagonist as the culprit of numerous fictional heinous crimes, creating the false impression that defendants are authorized to use plaintiff's image and likeness," the lawsuit says.

So, he was convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder but his portrayal in a video game in which he does essentially the same things is the thing that is damaging his reputation? Seems logical.

Noriega says that he was not consulted nor compensated for the use of his likeness in Black Ops II, unlike Oliver North which was both consulted and compensated for his portrayal in the game.

(via CNN)