Take-Two Interactive, according to a Reuters report, has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Transit Authority regarding some Grand Theft Auto IV ads that were pulled off of Chicago buses. It seems that Take-Two feels that, having paid $300,000 to run the ads for six weeks, the ads’ disappearance after less than one week entitles them to get their money back. Lunacy!
Beyond infecting our nation’s youth with its horrid game, now Take-Two is just feeding the growing trend of needless litigation in this country, over petty matters like who did or did not “sign a contract” or “violated their rights” or “completely failed to fulfill their end of a binding legal agreement.” Sheesh. Take-Two is asking for its $300,000 to be repaid, as well as reinstatement of the advertisements. I don’t know that they’re entitled to both requests, but perhaps one or the other is called for.
As for the CTA — well, great work, geniuses. You do realize that, in making a big fuss over these ads and stirring up all this first-amendment controversy, Take-Two is getting more publicity and awareness over the game than it would have with simple pictures on the sides of your buses — and you’re likely not to be paid for it, now? I think the nation’s youth may question how this is protecting them. Think of the children.
Leave a Reply