Los Angeles Sues Videogame Makers
Los Angeles didn't have a problem with virtual murder, pimping, robbery or drug-dealing. But when it came to virtual sex, the city decided to get litigious. On Jan. 26, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo filed suit against the makers of the widely popular and controversial "Grand Theft Auto: San...
February 03, 2006 at 09:18 AM
2 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Los Angeles didn't have a problem with virtual murder, pimping, robbery or drug-dealing. But when it came to virtual sex, the city decided to get litigious.
On Jan. 26, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo filed suit against the makers of the widely popular and controversial “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” for concealing the presence of a sexual minigame embedded within the videogame. Specifically, the suit names Take-Two Interactive and its subsidiary, Rockstar Games, as defendants and alleges that the game violates California's business and professions code by making untrue or misleading statements in marketing the game. It also alleges the companies engaged in unfair competition through those actions. Each violation carries a maximum civil penalty of $2,500.
Controversy is nothing new to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Advocacy groups and politicians have repeatedly criticized the series of videogames for its extreme violence, misogyny and portrayal of drug use. Elements of the games include stealing cars, running over pedestrians, shooting police officers and having sex with prostitutes.
Los Angeles didn't have a problem with virtual murder, pimping, robbery or drug-dealing. But when it came to virtual sex, the city decided to get litigious.
On Jan. 26, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo filed suit against the makers of the widely popular and controversial “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” for concealing the presence of a sexual minigame embedded within the videogame. Specifically, the suit names Take-Two Interactive and its subsidiary, Rockstar Games, as defendants and alleges that the game violates California's business and professions code by making untrue or misleading statements in marketing the game. It also alleges the companies engaged in unfair competition through those actions. Each violation carries a maximum civil penalty of $2,500.
Controversy is nothing new to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Advocacy groups and politicians have repeatedly criticized the series of videogames for its extreme violence, misogyny and portrayal of drug use. Elements of the games include stealing cars, running over pedestrians, shooting police officers and having sex with prostitutes.
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