Electronic Arts sued over Fight Night Round 4

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.