The case between Grand Theft Auto V publisher Take-Two and actress Lindsay Lohan has finally reached a conclusion. The dispute, which saw Lohan take umbrage with the likeness of a young woman in the game, ended with her case being unanimously rejected by a US judges.
Dating back to 2014, when the movie star sued Rockstar Games for a Grand Theft Auto V character that allegedly used Lohan’s mannerisms and clothing similar to her own clothing line, the case was a long-drawn out battle that has eventually been resolved by six New York-based judges, all of whom agreed with the decision.
In his ruling, Judge Eugene Fahey wrote that though “We conclude a computer generated image may constitute a portrait within the meaning of that law. We also conclude, however, that the subject images are not recognizable as plaintiff, and that the amended complaint, which contains four causes of action for violation of privacy pursuant to Civil Rights Law 50 and 51, was properly dismissed”
Those with far more knowledge of the law than I can dispute the first claim – despite seemingly every game coming tagged with a notice regarding any likenesses being purely coincidental. It’s clear though, at least in the eyes of US law practitioners, that Grand Theft Auto V character, Lacey Jonas, a minor one-mission character, was not based on Lindsay Lohan.
This will serve as a blow for Lohan, whose career has stuttered since the legal action. For Take-Two, Rockstar, and even the video game community-at-large, this, however, may represent a significant win if any future, similar cases were to come forward.
