Cypress Hill singer sues Rockstar over Grand Theft Auto

posted on December 09, 2010 09:12

Cypress Hill Singer Sues Rockstar Over Alleged GTA: San Andreas Likeness

Michael "Shagg" Washington claims he was the inspiration for main character CJ.

By Kris Pigna, 12/09/2010

Six years after the release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Rockstar is still getting into legal trouble over the game. This time, though, it has nothing to do with any hidden cutscenes; instead Cypress Hill backup singer Michael "Shagg" Washington is suing Rockstar, claiming they used him as the inspiration for main character Carl "CJ" Johnson without consent.

As IGN reports, the complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, and claims that Washington met with Rockstar in 2003 to talk about his early life and involvement with gangs. "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."

And at the time, that was apparently that -- Rockstar allegedly told Washington they would give him notice if they planned to use any of his life story as inspiration for the game, but the complaint says they never contacted him again. So why is Washington only suing now, six years later? Because he apparently only saw GTA: San Andreas for the first time back in July, when his nephew was playing it.

"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 further explains. "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 now seeking 25 percent of San Andreas' total profits -- which works out to around $250 million -- for fraud, misappropriation of likeness, and infringement. In a statement to IGN, Rockstar parent company Take-Two said that "the company believes the lawsuit is completely without merit and will vigorously defend itself in the matter."

So all that's left is to wait and see if the court agrees with Washington's side of the story, or if they determine he is...ahem...insane in the membrane.

(And now it's time to retire.)

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Cypress Hill singer sues Rockstar over Grand Theft Auto

Cypress Hill Singer Sues Rockstar Over Alleged GTA: San Andreas Likeness

Michael "Shagg" Washington claims he was the inspiration for main character CJ.

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