..if you're a broke, wannabe-celebrity cum small time hoodlum? That's right, public theft! Muppet:
Cypress Hill backup singer Michael "Shagg" Washington has filed a lawsuit against developer Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive for allegedly using his likeness in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas without his knowledge.
The complaint, filed Monday in a Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges the developers created the character Carl "CJ" Johnson in the game using his image and life story. Washington says he met with Rockstar in 2003 to talk about street life for the upcoming game.
"The plaintiff, who had led a troubled life in his youth, responded to their questions and related details of his life," the complaint reads. "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 he was told he'd be notified if Rockstar used him in the game. He claims he never heard back.
Despite being on store shelves for nearly six years, Washington said he just learned about San Andreas this past July from his 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," the complaint says. "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."
Washington is demanding 25 percent of the game's total profits - $250 million - for fraud, misappropriation of likeness and infringement.
"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," Jeff Grotke, Washington's attorney, told IGN in an e-mail.
Take-Two responded to requests for comment saying it will fight the case.
"The Company believes the lawsuit is completely without merit and will vigorously defend itself in the matter," a representative said in a statement given to IGN.
A copy of the complaint in PDF form can be viewed here.
Ummm, yeah...
