We just received a lawsuit claim from sports licensing group Fighters Inc., accusing Electronic Arts of misappropriating the names and likenesses of professional boxers in Fight Night Round 4. The suit accuses EA of deliberately "undermining the interests" of boxers by signing them to individual contracts when they were already part of a group licensing program.
"Not only did EA take money out of the pockets of all professional boxers who are participating in the group licensing program," argues Fighters Inc. managing member Chip Meyers, "but its intentional misconduct could completely destroy what we are trying to build to empower today's professional boxers with the same marketing and earning presence that is enjoyed by professional athletes in all major sports."
This is pretty heavy stuff, and Fighters Inc. is seeking $15 million in compensation and punitive damages. These guys seem pretty pissed off about it too, so EA can expect quite a fight on its hands.
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Contest:
5:40 PM on 09.04.2009
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The boxers only have themselves to blame if their punch-addled brains couldn't figure out that there was a way to get more money out of the deal. It's only natural for a business to try and cut costs. God we have too many stupid-ass lawsuits in this country...
But I guess the boxers can punch lawyers a lot harder than John Riccitiello can.
It seems to me that EA did nothing wrong. If anyone broke the law here, it would be the boxers who signed the contracts because perhaps the fighters club they're in says that they have to liscence themselves through the group liscensing program.
Other than that, signing someone to a contract that benefits you more than them is not illegal.