If you're not up to par with your American criminal history, John Dillinger was an infamous bank robber who was shot dead by the FBI in 1934. His legacy is also jealously guarded by the grandson of his half sister, who owns Dillinger LLC and will throw down the banhammer on anybody who dares to use the name. EA is one such company that dared, and is now suing Dillinger LLC for the right to name a machine gun after the robber in its Godfather games.
Electronic Arts alleges that Dillinger LLC threatened the publisher for putting "The Dillinger Tommy Gun" and "The Modern Dillinger" in Godfather and Godfather II, respectively. Dillinger LLC is said to have threatened litigation worth millions if the guns weren't removed, and EA has bitten back.
On July 22, 2009 Dillinger LLC, through its litigation counsel, contacted EA to accuse it of violating Dillinger's right of publicity and infringing upon its trademarks. Dillinger threatened EA with litigation unless it agreed to pay Dillinger millions of dollars for the game elements ...
Following Dillinger's recent conduct, EA is faced with the choice of either abandoning its rights to develop, publish and sell the works at issue or risk liability for damages.
Apparently, Dillinger LLC has a habit of pulling these sorts of shenanigans, and I hope it gets smacked down for it. Owning the rights to a real person is ludicrous, and an example of just how screwed up our legal system has gotten. Something this nonsensical shouldn't even be happening.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
83 comments | showing # 1 to 50
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
12:00 PM on 09.02.2009
| 
Milk rape, whilst her Neanderthal husband is forced to watch. Clockwork Orange deleted scene?
Let's do some matlockery!
I think you may be onto something there...looks like some creature from the labyrinth...sans ball fro of course...
Theres a Lawsuit going on now?
Header wise: Whuh?
Article wise: Hahaha. Ha. Haaha. Lawsuits.
It's from this
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go throw up now.
Ha! Whatever it is...it's creepy as hell...and naked. I can't even comment on the article, which is interesting and full of reportage that would rile my highly opinionated sensibilities...but the pic is too compelling..I think they are using the milk to get "it" to ravage that woman...
It would still be stupid because this is a historical figure not a fictional character. What if my last name was Dillinger and I wanted to start a plumbing business? Would I get slapped with a lawsuit? That would suck. Dillinger LLC needs to be put down, like Flamin-dekustick I'm on EA's side on this one.
Heckler & Koch sues Activision for using the MP-5 in Cod MW & MW2
oh, and what the fuck is that picture?
http://www.lostateminor.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/charlie_white2.jpg
There you have it. :-O
BRB off to make the Jim Sterling Child Sodomizer Device, for all your child sodomizing needs.
There's some pretty amazing stuff in there.
Will Destructoid get to the bottom of this story with hard hitting wikipedia searches and re-typing a press release?
Will Batman save Robin from the freezer?
Find out next week, same blog time, same blog channel.
god, i have that book packed up somewhere..
http://www.charliewhite.info/sub/work/2001.html
There's also the Metal group Dillinger Escape Plan. Will they get sued for playing angry music?
And if Dillinger nickname was Dill, will they sue Dill Pickle companies?
But it seems to be based on guns, Tommy guns. But it should be the dude that invented that who should sue them. Its gonna be a mexican standoff of lawsuits. Epic!
Whether you agree with it or not the relatives of 'celebrity's' of the past should have the right and be paid for the use of their relatives names and likenesses.
How would you like it if some one was making commemorative plates with your recently past parents on it and making millions while you are still trying to pay off their house and funeral costs. (you is a general you not Jim Sterling specifically. I hope Jim's parents are alive and well and wish them no harm)
Look, I love this website, but sooner or later, I won't be able to view it at work anymore.
For fuck's sake, please think of your readership and what time of day it is before you post this fucking bizarre ass shit.
I understand your concerns, but I'm not sure how it being "bizarre ass shit" (and it is, without a doubt) is something unacceptable for work. Nudity and the like, I can see, but this is... well. This is something.
Btw... KEEP THEM COMING!