Jim Brown Suing Over Madden Games

[Dr.Finger]

If you've ever played a Madden game (or frankly almost any modern team sports game) you've probably seen how they handle some of the 'classic' or 'all-time' teams. Since the names and likenesses of those olde tyme players are not included in the league's licensing agreement, developers have to skirt the issue by keeping those players unnamed. Well that isn't sitting too well with NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who is suing Electronic Arts and Sony over the unnamed number 32 populating the backfield of the All Browns Team.Today, Bloomberg reported that the NFL hall-of-famer and 1970s action film star has filed suit against Electronic Arts and Sony, alleging they profited from his likeness and identity without his permission. According to a copy of the suit obtained by GameSpot, Brown found out earlier this year about the use of his number in Madden games, specifically Madden 2001.
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Brown asks for an injunction against EA selling the game, the forfeiture of all materials bearing his likeness, and disgorgement of all profits earned form the sale of infringing Madden games. Source - Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195269.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6195269).

I would pay to see a Jim Brown vs. Electronic Arts action movie

[SilentScreams]

Must be broke to sue over something so petty.

[Dr.Finger]

Must be broke to sue over something so petty.If he's broke then it's not really that petty. On the other hand, I'd bet that EA has offered to license his identity before, so this may just be a negotiating tactic.

[LilAbner]

Sad to see the greatest running back ever do this. He'll lose for sure, something he's definitely not accustomed to.

[bean19]

Look at the timing of this. Jim Brown's attorney hopes to get the injunction to stick and then settle for millions of dollars (but still less than the injunction would cost EA).

Jack Thompson tried to do this with Bully.

[roboninja]

Look at the timing of this. Jim Brown's attorney hopes to get the injunction to stick and then settle for millions of dollars (but still less than the injunction would cost EA).

Jack Thompson tried to do this with Bully.

Yes, but JT was a lunatic. Jim Brown is in the Madden games, even if they try and pretend it is not him. Why should he not be compensated in some fashion? If EA deems it not worth the money, take him out of the game. It is pretty cut and dry IMO. The timing just makes his chances of success higher, which is smart. I know it is fashionable to dismiss any and all lawsuits these days, but I think he has a point.

[NoName]

But this is about Madden 2001... they aren't selling this at retail anymore right? (Do Gamestops even sell this used anymore?)

[Hexxagonal]

I'm not sure how he can say it's his likeness as there were two different characters in Madden. A white dude and a black dude.

[Variable Gear]

(Do Gamestops even sell this used anymore?)
They certainly do. See if you can find a copy. ;)

[phantomhitman]

madden 2010.

Classic browns team has the shittiest rb to ever grace a football game. Fumbleruskie Mcslowass for sure.

[Dr.Finger]

But this is about Madden 2001... they aren't selling this at retail anymore right? (Do Gamestops even sell this used anymore?)It was Madden 2001 that alerted him to this situation, he's not only suing over that game.

[Earth Djinn]

What a whiny bitch.

A single, unnamed rb in a goddamn classic team?

That is the furthest thing from a selling point for the game, and he has no right to demand money as though they're making it all off of his "inclusion". Fuck him, the money grubbing whore.

[Velian]

I guess he kinda has a point that they are using his likeness without their permission. But does anyone think that EA is making any money off of him being in the game? I don't think sales would suffer at all if Jim Brown was missing.

[roboninja]

I guess he kinda has a point that they are using his likeness without their permission. But does anyone think that EA is making any money off of him being in the game? I don't think sales would suffer at all if Jim Brown was missing.

See, that was my point. If they are not making money off it, drop it from the game. Then he has no case. If they do not drop it, he does have a case.

[Hexxagonal]

See, that was my point. If they are not making money off it, drop it from the game. Then he has no case. If they do not drop it, he does have a case.I think all-pro football proves that point for you.

[sprankton]

Why are they going after Sony?

[johnperkins21]

Sad to see the greatest running back ever do this. He'll lose for sure, something he's definitely not accustomed to.

Wait, I thought they said Jim Brown, not Barry Sanders.

[TDub301]

Thanks John, LilAnber was a little confused there. Also, he has a case since the team is the "All Browns team" thus referencing his name as well as his number. I'm sure every other "Brown" on that team has just as much of a case as JB does. And he's not broke, if I'm not mistaken, he runs the Fox sports football team coverage during the NFL season, he's still getting paid.

[NuK]

Wait, I thought they said Jim Brown, not Barry Sanders.

i dunno, unfortunately, barry sanders DID lose a lot of games, so that half of it sticks out ;)

But....barry sanders ftw

[digitalErich]

Sanders also set records behind one of the worst offensive lines of his time. In the context of a team game, Barry Sander's accomplishments were more his own than maybe any other RB in history.

[Dr.Finger]

Thanks John, LilAnber was a little confused there. Also, he has a case since the team is the "All Browns team" thus referencing his name as well as his number. I'm sure every other "Brown" on that team has just as much of a case as JB does. And he's not broke, if I'm not mistaken, he runs the Fox sports football team coverage during the NFL season, he's still getting paid.You realize it's the "All (Cleveland) Browns Team" and not the "All (Jim) Browns Team"?

Why are they going after Sony? They ask that in the article. Maybe they'll add MS and Nintendo to the suit later.

[Kagger]

I think all-pro football proves that point for you.

Yes, exactly. A ton of HoF got paid to be included in one game, so there is something similar.

Jim Brown averaged over 5 yards a carry. That is INSANE. It's difficult to compare to Sanders to Brown due to the difference in era. Just like Jerry Rice's numbers destroy Don Hutson, but Hutson, during his time, was miles ahead of his competition. Lead the league in receptions for like 10 straight years, and normally doubled the competeition.

[johnperkins21]

Yes, exactly. A ton of HoF got paid to be included in one game, so there is something similar.

Jim Brown averaged over 5 yards a carry. That is INSANE. It's difficult to compare to Sanders to Brown due to the difference in era. Just like Jerry Rice's numbers destroy Don Hutson, but Hutson, during his time, was miles ahead of his competition. Lead the league in receptions for like 10 straight years, and normally doubled the competeition.

It's pretty much impossible to compare player skill. Stats don't always do their skill justice. You can't even compare LaDanian Tomlinson to Marshawn Lynch right now. They're on different teams, with different coaching styles, blocking schemes, players, competition, etc.

What we can compare is how exciting it is to watch them play. In that aspect, nobody was more fun to watch than Barry Sanders. Mike Vick was fun to watch until he tried to do his actual job of throwing the football, which he was terrible at.

And these sorts of things are really quite subjective anyway. I mean, there's people out there who think Emmit Smith is the best RB of all time. I mean, seriously. They think that.

[TDub301]

You realize it's the "All (Cleveland) Browns Team" and not the "All (Jim) Browns Team"?

actually I didn't know that, stopped playing Madden a long time ago for obvious reasons (still feel like a jackass for not realizing that). But he can still use that argument in court anyway, so my statement still stands.

i dunno, unfortunately, barry sanders DID lose a lot of games, so that half of it sticks out ;)

But....barry sanders ftw

Barry Sanders didn't lose a lot of games, the Detroit Lions lost a lot of games. Any game they won was most likely due to Barry Sanders running his ass off without much help

I mean, there's people out there who think Emmit Smith is the best RB of all time. I mean, seriously. They think that.

yes, many idiots in the world indeed. Now, best "dancing with the stars" champ ever is at least arguable...

[LilAbner]

madden 2010.

Classic browns team has the shittiest rb to ever grace a football game. Fumbleruskie Mcslowass for sure.

LOL yep...some scrub like Leroy Kelly or Marion Motley....oh, wait.

Damn.

[LilAbner]

Sanders also set records behind one of the worst offensive lines of his time. In the context of a team game, Barry Sander's accomplishments were more his own than maybe any other RB in history.


It took Jim Brown only nine seasons to get to 12,312 yards.

That's 118 games played versus 122 for Barry to reach that goal.

Oh yeah....and he NEVER fumbled the ball in his entire career. Ever.

http://www.nfl.com/players/jimbrown/profile?id=BRO483276

http://www.nfl.com/players/barrysanders/profile?id=SAN194381

[Chaos Machine]

ea should pay the man or use a different number, fuck them seriously.

[Micasa]

I wonder if Tiger Woods would mind if I put out a golf game with a character that looks like him, has his mannerisms and stats...and was simply labeled Masters Champion '97?

I know EA would shit a brick, since they have his rights sewn up.