Lawyers Never Wanted to Sack the EA Sports College Football Series

[Irishwhiskey119]

Quote: Originally Posted by prowler

This right here. We can pretend all we want that EA didn't use player likeness but they've already settled with the players so it's a moot issue. EA should have released a purely generic roster where every team had the same amount of players at each position who were all 6' 160 pounds and done a better job of nudging gamers to the roster share feature. Every year THQ (and now 2K) released a WWE game with an online feature that allows people to download tons of player created unlicensed, non-WWE wrestlers who look and act just like their real life counterparts. I have yet to see a former wrestler file a lawsuit. It might not have been the best alternative but who is Sam Keller going to sue if rosters are modified after the game ships.

They did that to please the fans.

I'm sure it would be much easier for EA just to make completely random rosters but they gave us accurate representations as close as they could to make us happy. So criticizing them for trying to sneak that in without having to pay the players i think is cool.

Players don't deserve money for the ****ing video game anyway. I can understand jersey sales and tickets etc. etc.

I wouldn't pay the players sales of the yearly guide the school gives out.

Also movies and tv shows have similar products to real products but with different names like "Costa Cola" or "Repsi". They don't have to pay Coke and Pepsi **** even though we know what the reference is. Same should apply for this.

[BenGerman]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: as soon as all of these money-makers stop throwing a hissy fit and playing the blame game, we will see a college football game again.

[Mr. Awesome2103]

What are the chances that another college video game, weather it be football, basketball, etc. be made in the future? Maybe even by another company such as 2K Sports.

[bcruise]

Quote: Originally Posted by BenGerman

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: as soon as all of these money-makers stop throwing a hissy fit and playing the blame game, we will see a college football game again.

Which, judging by how long it's been since we've seen a College Basketball game actually released, could be a very long time.

Different circumstances there, but nobody's been in a rush to bring that back, either. Nor will they be after this mess.

[GlennN]

EA was using the players' likenesses without paying, and now they would have to pay. EA declined to pay the players and instead cancelled the series. And folks blame the players' lawyers for wanting to be paid for EA using their likenesses? What do you think would happen if EA (or any company) wanted to make an NFL or NBA game and decided to do it using players' likenesses without getting the rights? EA made a business decision, which I understand, but the blame here is on EA. Don't steal players' likenesses for your own profits and the lawyers won't sue you.

[BadAssHskr]

Quote: Originally Posted by JerseySuave4

If you don't think EA was using player's likenesses then you are clueless. When DE #7 on South Carolina is the same height, weight, position, race as Clowney, it's pretty blatant that it's his likeness. Just because they don't use his name doesn't mean it's not his likeness. And those calling this a money grab are just pissed that EA isn't making the game anymore. This is not just about EA or video games, this issue is not over. This is about college kids getting suspended because they sign their own name on something while the school bookstore sells t-shirts with their picture and number all over it. It's about the fact that college football is a billion dollar industry but the players aren't seeing a dime unless they do so illegally. And yes MOST (not all) receive scholarships to pay for books, tuition, etc. but unlike other students who can go have a job to have some spending cash, these players are required to attend meetings and weight lifting, film study, etc. so they aren't able to work like others can. If EA didn't feel they did something wrong then they wouldn't have thought settling and ultimately ending the series would be the best decision.

I cant even think of 1 other devensive end thats black, 6'4, and 275lbs.

[BizDevConglomerate]

To my knowledge woman don't comment on these Boards, were men, I can't bekueve cats are complaining about the ppl who won instead of holding EA accountable for not making the game anymore. EA backed out on us. If they had put anything close o football bmnext year the faithful would've bought it. I personally don't like either game this year. They fail to give enough options in the control and edits. The unis aren't up to date etc. But had they made a game I'm more than sure ppl woulda bought it. This is a cop out by EA. Let us eat way at the plaintiffs and they escape criticism. EA wack for that.

[RedSoxFox7]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

So tell me then, who profited financially the most here? It certainly wasn't the players/plaintiffs. The EA/NCAA didn't use anyone's likeness without their permission. The players signed that away when they accepted their scholarhip, literally. As far as EA skirting the law, might want to read up on the law. What law exactly did they skirt? Ignorance? Hello kettle, you're black. EA's not making college football, because quite simply, given the numbers it generates, it simply not worth the effort or the risk of potential nuisance lawsuits in the future. Not to mention all of the Conferences, and the NCAA itself refusing to license their IP's

You might want to read up on the law yourself. EA, the CLC, and the NCAA have been using intellectual property without permission for years.

The players absolutely did not sign away the rights to their own image when they accepted their scholarships.

The NCAA's prohibition against players earning money is in no way even remotely equivalent to the players granting the NCAA the rights to profit from their likenesses.