At least Patton has a likeness (and a reputation) worth protecting. More perplexing is the former military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989 deciding that the way he was characterised in a Call Of Duty game was a step too far, electing to take Activision to court over his appearance in Black Ops II. Noriega had sought damages from a Californian court which, when you know his human rights record, is pretty rich. "This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we're gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn't win," said Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, who for some reason defended Activision in the case. The court eventually ruled that, again, the character based on Noriega was protected under free speech laws. Its probably worth pointing out that during all this said Panama dictator was (and currently still is) serving a jail sentence in for crimes committed during his time in power, including money laundering and murdering anybody who didnt agree with him. Couldnt happen to a nicer guy.
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/
