LONDON: Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive have registered a case against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over the latter’s in-production TV drama film Game Changer (working title).
The BBC revealed the project last month, confirming earlier reports. The film traces the conflict between Rockstar Games lawyer Jack Thompson over Rockstar’s controversial Grand Theft Auto series, with Bill Paxton playing Thompson and Daniel Radcliffe starring as Rockstar Games co-founder Same Houser.
According to Rockstar, the BBC is infringing on their trademarks without permission. Here’s the full statement they sent to IGN.
“Take-Two Interactive has filed suit against the BBC for trademark infringement based on their movie currently titled ‘Game Changer’ as it relates to Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto video game series,” ISN reported.
“While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project. Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC’s pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games. We have attempted multiple times to resolve this matter with the BBC without any meaningful resolution. It is our obligation to protect our intellectual property and unfortunately in this case litigation was necessary.”
IGN also contacted the BBC for comment, but a spokesperson said that they “do not comment on legal matters.”
Game Changer began filming in April, and is scheduled to broadcast later this year as part of the BBC’s focus on programming centred on digital technology.
