Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games have finally struck back in their legal battle against Lindsay Lohan. For those not in the know, the 28-year-old actress Lohan filed a frivolous lawsuit against the game developers, claiming the character Lacey Jonas in Grand Theft Auto V is based on her. In short, Lohan says the developers are using her likeness without permission for the game.
Per a report by the Associated Press, Take-Two and Rockstar filed court papers in Manhattan, New York that say Lohan “filed for publicity purposes,” calling out her lawsuit as the public and frivolous farce that it is. Hopefully, the judge laughs the case out of court and dismisses it. Lohan should not be allowed to get away with nonsense such as this, and she should rightfully pay Take-Two Interactive’s legal fees.
The profile of Lacey Jonas could resemble many young actresses who went off the beaten path in Hollywood. Lohan does not own the copyright for young, blonde, maladjusted, drug addicted starlets in Hollywood. Sadly, she is not the only young actress who has gone through such trials and tribulations. There is nothing in the game that singularly makes the Lacey Jonas character a direct inspiration of Lohan. The profile also fits the likes of Paris Hilton, Kirsten Dunst and Amanda Bynes. Lohan is hardly the first actress to have a public meltdown, going through a huge surge in her career and then a self-destructive fall from grace.
However, even if the developers were in any way inspired by Lohan and modeled the character’s design after her, Lohan’s lawsuit still should not have a leg to stand on, because the developers have the right to use artisti parody. Regardless, Take-Two is not even taking that route with the lawsuit. Physically, Jonas in no way resembles Lohan. If anything, the character has a very blank, indistinct face and look. Honestly, when I look at her face, I see somewhat of a resemblance to Anna Faris. Not that this character was based on Anna Faris. As far as Lohan’s style goes, how can she copyright her “style”? Can Lohan even explain what her style is? Is her style the numerous legal issues and a struggle with substance abuse? Those things are not intellectual property, so Lohan cannot claim ownership of them.
The lawsuit is ridiculous and frivolous. The judge presiding over this case should do the right thing and dismiss the case. Lohan should not be allowed to get away with this scot-free, and she should pay the legal fees for the lawsuit. Frankly, there should be a video game law to prevent lawsuits such as this from being filed. That’s the American legal system for you.
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