Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Plenty. Multiple domestic violence arrests. He's been a pretty big civil rights advocate (many people are against some of the positions he's taken).

With that said, none of the matters because it has nothing to do with the law.

I think Bezo meant, what's there not to like about Brown specifically in this situation, not overall. Of course there are plenty of things anyone can choose to not like about most anybody, the main thing is people potentially bringing those biases, whatever they may be, into this, which they shouldn't.

This is why imo threads and topics like this on OS should tread lightly because if not careful, it can easily get into some other areas not suited for a video game message board, which in my case, I come to discuss video games to avoid that type of discussion.

[BezO]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

...Multiple domestic violence arrests. He's been a pretty big civil rights advocate (many people are against some of the positions he's taken)...

I was thinking about disliking him for something related to this case.

[dk6663]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Most likely, more people just don't like Jim Brown; had it been Walter Payton's family, many more may have sided with the settlement, IMO.

Also, Jim Brown's likeness? How many people who play Madden really even know who he was, or care? What constituted his likeness? Being a RB on the Browns with the #32?

Then taking into account J. Brown got $600k, and he wasn't even on the cover or a promoted player that I am aware of.

That was my point exactly. Maybe I just vocalized it wrong .....

[aholbert32]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

That was my point exactly. Maybe I just vocalized it wrong .....

Your point is wrong though. This case has nothing to do with if EA used his likeness on the cover or in promos.

[seasprite]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

I actually know the law: my point is valid, that many people still do not like Jim Brown and therefore are not happy he was awarded $600k, regardless of laws, which may be just laws or unjust laws.

Since when should a popularity contest have anything to do with the application of law? I understand people not liking Brown, I don't, but should applaud the fact that he was rightfully compensated under the law.

[dk6663]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Your point is wrong though. This case has nothing to do with if EA used his likeness on the cover or in promos.

Exactly my point in that I just don't Like him !

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Since when should a popularity contest have anything to do with the application of law? I understand people not liking Brown, I don't, but should applaud the fact that he was rightfully compensated under the law.

When was every law absolutely correct?

Rightfully compensated? Again, an area of contention, as I believe $600k is way too much.

[DeuceDouglas]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Maybe it's just me but I feel like this whole situation is really much ado about nothing. I don't know when exactly this lawsuit started but I'm guessing it stems from his likeness being used in the Xbox/PS2 era Madden's with classic teams where they did the exact same thing NCAA was doing and EA already lost. The classic rosters continued to be used in those Madden's but never made the leap to XB360/PS3 and likely weren't ever a priority. And now with MUT using legends and the state of the game currently it's almost certain that regardless of this decision or lawsuit even that historic rosters were never going to come back.

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

When was every law absolutely correct?

Rightfully compensated? Again, an area of contention, as I believe $600k is way too much.

Other laws and what anyone believes is completely irrelevant in this situation, EA has repeatedly illegally used player likeness, in this case it was Jim Brown's and that settlement amount, as Bezo has said repeatedly, was agreed on by both parties. Why anyone would have contention over EA's money, what they agreed to do with it and how much of it in this situation, is just plain odd.

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Other laws and what anyone believes is completely irrelevant in this situation, EA has repeatedly illegally used player likeness, in this case it was Jim Brown's and that settlement amount, as Bezo has said repeatedly, was agreed on by both parties. Why anyone would have contention over EA's money, what they agreed to do with it and how much of it in this situation, is just plain odd.

Considering your general negative stance towards EA I will not bother debating reasons to settle, even when in best interests of a party to not do so in the long run.

[seasprite]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

When was every law absolutely correct?

Rightfully compensated? Again, an area of contention, as I believe $600k is way too much.

What exactly does that have to do with anything? It's the law and that is what the courts are directed by.....even though it didn't get to that point. You believe 600K is way too much, I would like to see how bad you would have lost it if it had gone to court and to see what his payout would have been then. Would any of this change for you if you really liked the guy or it was one of your favorite athletes? Just think you are wanting to change law because you just don't like the guy. JMO

[seasprite]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

Considering your general negative stance towards EA I will not bother debating reasons to settle, even when in best interests of a party to not do so in the long run.

How was it in the best interests of EA to not settle? Care to even think about what they would have paid out had this gone to court? It was an easy case for Brown.

[mrprice33]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

How was it in the best interests of EA to not settle? Care to even think about what they would have paid out had this gone to court? It was an easy case for Brown.

I own my own company. That 600k that EA paid Brown, when adjusting for revenue, is probably like 100 bucks to my company, and I'd gladly pay 100 bucks to get rid of a case and billable hours from lawyers.

[baconbits11]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

This settlement and lawsuit are ridiculous. Back in the day when his so-called "likeness" was in the game, the player models were so primitive that it did not constitute a likeness. So any black player with the number of 32 could be considered a likeness? There was no face, no discerning marks, Jim Brown did not OWN the ratings that were given to him. The only mistake I see EA making was putting him on the Browns. They should have just put a #32 in the free agent pool.

Now if it was XBOX 360 or PS3 and EA had his face on a model without permission, then yeah sue for that. But this is just Mr Brown being a d***.

[aholbert32]

Re: Jim Brown Receives $600K Settlement Against EA

This settlement and lawsuit are ridiculous. Back in the day when his so-called "likeness" was in the game, the player models were so primitive that it did not constitute a likeness. So any black player with the number of 32 could be considered a likeness? There was no face, no discerning marks, Jim Brown did not OWN the ratings that were given to him. The only mistake I see EA making was putting him on the Browns. They should have just put a #32 in the free agent pool.

Now if it was XBOX 360 or PS3 and EA had his face on a model without permission, then yeah sue for that. But this is just Mr Brown being a d***.

I wish people knew the actual legal definition of a likeness before posting.

Likeness: The distinguishable aspects of a person identity.

So Madden had a RB on the classic Browns team that was Black, 6-2, 235 lbs, Black and wore #32.

Jim Brown was a RB on the Browns.
Jim Brown is 6-2.
Jim Brown was 235 lbs when he played.
Jim Brown wore #32.
Jim Brown is a black man.

That right there is enough to justify a right of publicity/likeness suit. Those are all distinguishable ways to identify Brown.

The fact that they asked Brown before they added him to the game and he said no just makes the case more of a slam dunk.

It doesnt matter that the graphics were primitive.
It doesnt matter that they didnt try to make his face resemble Brown.
It doesnt matter that they didnt use Brown's name.

Your solution of just putting a #32 in the FA pool wouldnt work for EA. They wanted people to know it was Brown without using his name. Adding a black RB with the #32 wouldntve been enough for people to know it was Brown. A black #32 RB could be Marcus Allen or OJ Simpson or Franco Harris. They wanted people to know it was Brown.

I honestly dont know why anyone would defend EA here.