Rockstar and Take 2 Sued Again, This Time by “Real-Life” CJ

Backup singer (yes, you can point and laugh) for Cypress Hill, Michael “Shagg” Washington has taken it upon himself to sue Rockstar and their publisher, Take 2. They’re no strangers to lawsuits, so what’ve done now? Nothing. It’s for something they did way back in 2004; release Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas. Shagg is suing the them because he believes he’s the real-life inspiration for the game’s star, Carl “CJ” Johnson.

Could he have a case? He says he met with the developer in 2003 to dish out info on street life for an upcoming game, and now claims the lead character was based on his likeness.

“The plaintiff, who had led a troubled life in his youth, responded to their questions and related details of his life,” reads the official complaint. “The plaintiff told them about details of his street life including how the teen-agers in his gang rode around on bicycles” “After almost two hours of questioning which covered many topics of gang and street life, the meeting ended and the plaintiff was allowed to leave.” Washington said Rockstar told him he’d be notified if he was to be in the game. He claims he never heard back from them.

So why’s he only suing them now, 6 years after the fact? He says, presumably because he’s been living under a rock – or in a marijuana induced stupor, he only learned about the game this year in July, after being told about it by a nephew.

“The plaintiff had never seen the game. He did not own or play video games, but it seemed possible that he had been included in the game.He then recalled the meeting in or about 2003, and it began to dawn on him that his image had been stolen for the game.” “Upon examination of images of ‘CJ’ and comparison to his photos from that year and other evidence, it became clear that Rockstar had stolen his image and never paid him.”

I wonder if he related to them his stories of strapping on a jetpack and flying all over Nevada. He’s seeking damages of 25% of sales – a whopping $250 million. A Take 2 executive, who probably spat out some Hot Coffee after reading the suit, has said that “The Company believes the lawsuit is completely without merit and will vigorously defend itself in the matter.”

Me? I think Williams is probably a little insane in the membrane (wiki-wiki), and is just looking to make some easy money. Idiot.

You can read the complaint in its entirety here.

Source : IGN

Last Updated: December 9, 2010