Lindsay Lohan sues over Grand Theft Auto V likeness
Birthday girl Lindsay Lohan has filed suit against the developers of hit video game Grand Theft Auto V amid allegations they used her likeness for one of their characters without permission.
Representatives for the actress threatened to sue in December (13), three months after the crime adventure was released, after noting the similarities between the Mean Girls star and the animated Lacey Jonas in Grand Theft Auto V.
On Wednesday (02Jul14), Lohan followed through with the complaint
by lodging papers in a New York court.
In the documents, Lohan's lawyer claims the game's cover image of
Jonas as a curvaceous blonde, wearing a slinky red bikini as she
flashes the peace sign, is almost identical to a previous shot of
the actress posing in a pink swimsuit.
The attorney states that picture, along with a number of other
computerised images, "incorporate her likeness, clothing, outfits,
clothing line products, ensemble in the form of hats, hair style,
sunglasses, jean shorts worn by (Lohan)... before the release of
the GTA V video game".
Her legal rep also cites Jonas' residence at West Hollywood's
Chateau Marmont hotel as further evidence the character is based on
Lohan as it is "a place where the plaintiff once lived and often
frequents".
Lohan, who turned 28 on Wednesday (02Jul14), is demanding
unspecified damages for the alleged image violations from bosses at
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and its subsidiary, Rockstar
Games.
Grand Theft Auto V became an instant hit with gamers upon its
release in September (13) after racking up sales of over $800
million in its first day.