Truth & Rumors > NFL
Jim Brown sues video game makers
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."
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Tori Praver



Comments (73) Add A Comment
This dude is angry, Seems angry all the time. It's funny too.
Bond 007
San Francisco, Ca, FU
Total Comments (1019)
Enough with all these JIm Brown stories! When will T&R finally start giving us some Brett Favre speculation?
YODA
Total Comments (16730)
You seek Farve.
Ironfinch
Greenfield, MA
Total Comments (404)
ea messed up by not changing the number on their all time rb character. pay JB his money~
pw
New Baltimore , NY
Total Comments (2903)
This dude is a POS. He should be in the spousal abuse HOF
700 Level Lifer
Philadelphia , PA
Total Comments (937)
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!).
HOOAH05!
Total Comments (15363)
you get 'em Jim ... grrrrr
jctoo, cult elitist
Total Comments (44312)
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...
hvyhttr
Indianapolis , IN
Total Comments (557)
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
700 Level Lifer
Philadelphia , PA
Total Comments (937)
kind of childish, the NFLPA agreed to the terms i would think that would mean even retired players.
Vaughn9
Total Comments (4396)
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.
Teemon_216
Total Comments (765)
Great RB, not so great person.
CowboyDave
Total Comments (26288)
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.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2371)
"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
pw
New Baltimore , NY
Total Comments (2903)
Looks like he is bored, Jim hasnt had anything to cry or whine about lately
mlbfan76
Columbus, OH
Total Comments (242)
In other news QB Browns, QB Eagles and QB Bills have all been seen talking to My Cousin Vinny.
the_crafty_righthand…
Total Comments (450)
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.
HOOAH05!
Total Comments (15363)
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.
HOOAH05!
Total Comments (15363)
as long as Tecmo Bowl gets left alone, I'm fine.
duany
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (515)
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