Apparently GTA: San Andreas’ Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson, the player character, is his ‘stolen image’ after Rockstar asked about his early street and gang life.
”The plaintiff, who had led a troubled life in his youth, responded to their questions and related details of his life,” details the filed complaint, referring to Rockstar interviewing him way back during GTA: San Andreas’ development.
”The plaintiff told them about details of his street life including how the teenagers in his gang rode around on bicycles.” Yes, you read that right - in his youth he rode around on bicycles with his friends, and CJ and his homies do that in San Andreas! Case closed.
”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.” Rockstar was too let him know if they would use his ‘life as inspiration’ for the game but heard nothing.
In ‘04 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas retailed and set the world ablaze with critical acclaim and mega sales, oh and eventually something about a hot beverage and ‘naughty parts’. Now 6 years later Michael “Shagg” Washington wants what he is ‘rightfully owed’ by those big meanies over at Rockstar Games for grand thefting his youth.
Shaggs nephew was the one to ‘squeal’ on R* back in July. ”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,” continued the suit claim.
”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.” The former hip hop backup singer now wants 25 percent of the profits made from GTA: San Andreas, which equates to around $250 million.
”It’s hard to believe that the makers of a game that allows you to shoot at cops, pick up prostitutes, and run over pedestrians at will, would actually cheat somebody out of money, but this seems to be the case,” stated Shagg’s lawyer, Jeff Grotke.
Take-Two’s legal response is to fight the case with money raised from identity theft, carjacking and the mugging of prostitutes. Anyone for a hot cup of coffee?
