The lawsuit against WWE 2K Games and Yukes regarding the recreation of Randy Ortons tattoos in the companys video games has officially kicked off. Tattoo artist Catherine Anderson who is responsible for a number of Ortons tattoos from 2003 through 2008 alleges that the companies behind the WWE 2K series have been using her copyrighted work without permission.
Anderson first made WWE aware of the alleged infringement back in 2009. In response the company reportedly offered the artist $450 to use the tattoos an offer that Anderson declined. Anderson would go on to register copyrights on the artwork in 2018 about a month before she first filed the lawsuit.
Orton himself though not a defendant is set to be called as a witness in the jury trial sometime this week. The lawsuit alleges that Orton does not have ownership in the copyrights asserted herein claiming that he is unable to provide permission to use his tattoos in the game series as Anderson is still the owner of the artwork despite it appearing on Ortons video game likeness. While a judge would later agree that Alexanders copyrights on the art were valid the ongoing trial will determine whether Orton has control over whether or not they can be included in the game. As of now the trial is expected to go on for five days before concluding.
As noted by PWInsider this trial may have implications beyond WWE and its video game series. Sports games in general often recreate athletes real tattoos and the decision rendered here could lay down precedent that affects the industry at large moving forward.
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