Perhaps the strangest (at least the most recent) celebrity lawsuit against a company that unlawfully used their likeness is somebody who is dead. Yep, a ghost filed a lawsuit. Actually it was CMG Worldwide - which acts as a kind of copyright-holder for dead celebrities - who actually kicked up a legal fuss on behalf of General George S Patton, but still. He didnt pull many punches in life and apparently death is no barrier to his combatative nature, with GMC suing the makers of a real time strategy game that came out four years ago. Not very quick off the mark, but more than making up for it by claiming that History: Legends Of War: Patton wrongfully misappropriates the persona of a historical figure. Theyd probably have more of a case for crimes against semi-colons but no matter. Its actually all about money, since they may not necessarily have a leg to stand on with the game depicting a historical figure. Fair use or something. No, GMC wanna protect their right to sell Pattons likeness in any future video game, like maybe a FPS based on Dr Strangelove.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
