manuel-noriega
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Manuel Noriega's Call of Duty lawsuit dismissed by LA court
Manuel Noriega's attempt to sue Activision has been dismissed by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who ruled that the former Panamanian dictator's unauthorized cameo in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is protected by America's free speech laws. In the game, Noriega helps players track down a Nicaraguan activist, before switching allegiances and forcing the player to hunt and capture the virtual Noriega in what is a loose metaphor for the real Noriega's involvement with the CIA in the 1980s. The former dictator's lawsuit claimed this appearance portrays him as a "kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state," and that his cameo enhanced sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, for which Noriega believed he deserves compensation. "This ruling is an important victory and we thank the court for protecting free speech," said former New York City mayor and Activision co-counsel Rudy Giuliani. "This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we're gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn't win. This is not just a win for the makers of Call of Duty, but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world." Noriega remains incarcerated in Panama for crimes committed against the country during his rule. [Image: Activision]
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani named co-counsel in Call of Duty Noriega lawsuit
Activision is filing a motion today to dismiss the lawsuit by former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega over his depiction in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. The company has hired as co-counsel to defend it former New York City Mayor and U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani, now a named partner of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP. "Quite simply, it's absurd," said Giuliani. "I'm not interested in giving handouts to a convicted murderer and drug smuggler like Manuel Noriega who is demanding money from Activision and its popular Call of Duty franchise for simply exercising its right to free speech."
Former dictator suing Activision over depiction in Call of Duty
Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega is suing Activision Blizzard over his depiction in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, reports the LA TImes. The 80-year-old Noriega's lawsuit claims he is portrayed as a "kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state" which helped elevate sales of the game and he's seeking damages. Noriega was imprisoned for two decades on drug-trafficking following the invasion of Panama in 1989. If he's getting a payout, so should student athletes from the NCAA & EA. Listen, let's just remember that Lindsay Lohan sued Grand Theft Auto 5 publisher Rockstar over less. [Image: AP]
