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Jim Brown sues video game makers

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Football great Jim Brown is throwing a stiff-arm at a video game maker for using his image without permission. The Cleveland Browns legend has sued Electronic Arts and Sony - the makers of the popular "Madden" football series - of casting him in video games as the "muscular African American player wearing the number 32" on the "All Browns Team." Brown wore No. 32 in an NFL career that stretched from 1957 to 1965 and earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "To Brown's knowledge, [Sony and Electronic Arts] are not now, nor have they ever been, authorized to make any use of his trademark as the All-Time Great Cleveland Browns running back," the suit says. The complaint, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, seeks unspecified damages and a court order to stop his likeness from being used in the games. Brown contends he never signed away the rights to the use of his image that would allow it to appear in the video game. "When Jim Brown played football, the NFL had a leaguewide policy that players shall have no lawyers or agents when negotiating compensation," the suit says. "Video games were not invented yet."

New York Daily News

Jim Brown, Harry How/Getty Images Jim Brown, Harry How/Getty Images
August 1, 2008  05:33 AM ET

This dude is angry, Seems angry all the time. It's funny too.

August 1, 2008  05:45 AM ET

Enough with all these JIm Brown stories! When will T&R finally start giving us some Brett Favre speculation?

August 1, 2008  06:14 AM ET

You seek Farve.

August 1, 2008  06:41 AM ET

ea messed up by not changing the number on their all time rb character. pay JB his money~

August 1, 2008  07:57 AM ET

This dude is a POS. He should be in the spousal abuse HOF

August 1, 2008  08:10 AM ET

Jim Brown is now and has always been too full of himself. He does not represent the image of a great football player. Just a tired, angry one. We are so sorry you suffered such prejudice when you played but that was the times. You don't hear other players lamenting about it. Get over yourself. Take it as a compliment.

I agree with 700 Level. (Dang, here I go again!).

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August 1, 2008  08:36 AM ET

you get 'em Jim ... grrrrr

August 1, 2008  08:37 AM ET

If EA had permission from the NFLPA to use players' names, that would also give them the right to use former players. Mr Brown, the NFL still owns Jim Brown the Cleveland Browns great...

August 1, 2008  08:37 AM ET

I agree with 700 Level. (Dang, here I go again!).

Hooah05! | 08/01/08, 08:10 AM
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Don't worry brotha NFL is gearing up and i'm sure we'll be arguing about something petty and irrevelant soon enough.
On a different not. Although he is a violent woman abuser he ROCKED in Mars attacks. I am pretty sure that he is the only reason aliens haven't launched an invasion

August 1, 2008  08:43 AM ET

kind of childish, the NFLPA agreed to the terms i would think that would mean even retired players.

August 1, 2008  08:46 AM ET

Definitely one of the greatest, but this suit is weak. It won't hold up in court. Madden has been doing this for a couple of years now. JB isn't the only past time great represented in the game.

August 1, 2008  08:47 AM ET

Great RB, not so great person.

August 1, 2008  08:50 AM ET

I think EA used my image as a fan in the stands. I didn't authorize them to use my image on the game either. I need to find an attorney and file a lawsuit.

August 1, 2008  08:55 AM ET

"kind of childish, the NFLPA agreed to the terms i would think that would mean even retired players."

might be an issue with the old time players, NFLPA didn't have much power with negotiations in the NFL until the mid 70s. so licensing old timers (pre 70s) might be an issue. most games tend to remove names and change numbers on old timers. think someone at EA just forgot to change JBs

August 1, 2008  08:57 AM ET

Looks like he is bored, Jim hasnt had anything to cry or whine about lately

August 1, 2008  09:04 AM ET

In other news QB Browns, QB Eagles and QB Bills have all been seen talking to My Cousin Vinny.

August 1, 2008  09:25 AM ET

Don't worry brotha NFL is gearing up and i'm sure we'll be arguing about something petty and irrevelant soon enough.
On a different not. Although he is a violent woman abuser he ROCKED in Mars attacks. I am pretty sure that he is the only reason aliens haven't launched an invasion

700 Level Lifer | 08/01/08, 08:37 AM
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...funny. And, don't forget he took out quite a few Jerries in "The Dirty Dozen" before biting the big one.

August 1, 2008  09:26 AM ET

think EA used my image as a fan in the stands. I didn't authorize them to use my image on the game either. I need to find an attorney and file a lawsuit.

Red Zone | 08/01/08, 08:50 AM
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....best post so for today.

 
August 1, 2008  09:51 AM ET

as long as Tecmo Bowl gets left alone, I'm fine.

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