GTA 6 maker Rockstar is once more accused of utilizing somebody’s likeness in its video games with out permission.
This time, it is Lawrence Sullivan. Referred to as the “Florida Joker” attributable to their facial tattoos, known as out Rockstar on TikTok twice not lengthy after the GTA 6 trailer dropped, telling the event studio “you took my likeness, you took my life.” He goes on to state Rockstar owes him “a mil or two.”
Within the GTA 6 video, an individual with facial tattoos paying homage to Sullivan is proven on the 1:04 mark carrying trademark orange jail apparel. Whereas the tattooing across the eyes appears comparable, the remainder of the character’s facial ink is completely different. However not sufficient to fulfill Sullivan.
@lawrence.sullivan0 #gta6 #gta6new #gtaonline #gta6joker #florida #maimijoker #gta6 #floridajoker #miami #305 #727 #gta6trailer #thejoker #facetattoos #jokersmile #dc #fyp #joker ♬ authentic sound – Lawrence Sullivan
Sullivan grew to become web well-known in 2017 when their Miami-Dade County mugshot made headlines after being arrested for pointing a gun at visitors.
Sullivan made the information once more in 2018 after their arrest in St. Petersburg, Florida. The arrest stemmed from a warrant out of Miami-Dade for probation violation concerning the authentic 2017 cost of carrying a hid firearm.
@lawrence.sullivan0 #florida #jokerchallenge #gta6 #gta6trailer #gta6new #facetattoo ♬ authentic sound – Lawrence Sullivan
Rockstar has all the time been one to poke enjoyable at present occasions, counterculture, and the notorious utilizing parody or satire; subsequently, it is fairly doable the studio was impressed by Sullivan – however that has but to be decided.
This is not the primary time Rockstar has had somebody cry foul, because the studio was sued in 2014 by actor Lindsay Lohan, who claimed a personality in GTA 5 used their likeness. The go well with went to court docket in 2016 with the Manhattan appeals court docket panel ruling in Rockstar’s favor.
The court docket acknowledged the studio “doesn’t fall below the statutory definitions of ‘promoting’ or ‘commerce’. This online game’s distinctive story, characters, dialogue, and surroundings, mixed with the participant’s capacity to decide on the way to proceed within the sport, render it a piece of fiction and satire.”
Throughout this similar session, a go well with filed by Karen Gravano, the daughter of Mafia informant Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, was dismissed. On this case, it was claimed the GTA 5 character Andrea Bottino was primarily based on Karen Gravano.