Call of Duty maker Activision sued by former dictator of Panama
The former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega is suing video game maker Activision over a character featured in the game Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
The dictator, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence, is claiming for loss of profits and damages over a character in the 2012 game based upon him, the BBC reports.
In 13 pages of papers filed with US courts, Noriega claims he is portrayed as a "kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state" calling the representation "blatant misuse, unlawful exploitation and misappropriation for economic gain."
Noriega, also a former CIA informant, was ousted as leader of Panama by the US in 1989 and convicted of drug dealing, racketeering and money laundering in US courts in 1992. After his release he was extradited to France and then Panama in 2011, where he is still serving 20 years for murder and money laundering.
The games industry has faced an increasing number of lawsuits from celebrities over their representation in computer games.
Most recently, the actress Lindsay Lohan is suing Rockstar, the maker of hugely successful Grand Theft Auto series, claiming a character in the game is based upon her without her permission.