Earlier today we brought weird news that
Jack Thompson is a user-definable character in Mortal Kombat Armageddon, as it appeared on Digg last night complete with the cheat code formula. His fighting style in the game? Legalese -- inside and outside of the arena. Less than 24 hours after the news was posted, Mr. Thompson has issued a cease and desist to Midway railing against the sale of the game. Seems I just keep bumping into this guy [
watch yesterday's contempt hearing video] all the time these days, doesn't it?
Update 1: Various readers have sent tips drawing parallel's to
last year's Marvel vs. NCSoft over the ability to create characters that resemble their IP. Granted, a guy in a Wolverine costume is pretty distinct vs. a gray haired man in business attire, but it does add an interesting angle to the debate.
So what do you guys think -- fair use or is he within his right? Share your thoughts below.
Here it is, hot off the press:
October 26, 2006
David F. Zucker
President and Chief Executive Officer
Midway Games, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
(sent via email)
Re: Cease and Desist
Dear Mr. Zucker:
It has today come to my attention that the newly recently
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon contains an unauthorized commercial exploitation of my name, photograph, image, and likeness within the game.
You are commanded to cease and desist immediately from the distribution of this game because of this unauthorized, illegal content. If you think your company can in fact do such a thing, please have your lawyers provide you with the recent resolution of the unauthorized use of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name and image in a similar fashion.
It would appear that your company has done this at least in part because I sued you all in the Paducah school massacre case and further because I appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 when your company came out with your profane, violent, and idiotic Blitz: The League.
Please have your lawyer(s) contact me so that this activity can be stopped and this situation resolved amicably, if possible.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Contest:
7:39 PM on 10.26.2006 | 
