Justin Bieber Sued by Parody Game Developer
Joustin' Beaver claimed to be protected under First Amendment.
Nieber Say Bieber.
We smelled a lawsuit three weeks ago over iOS and Android popstar 'homage' game Joustin' Beaver, and sure enough a filing has been made - only it's not from Justin Bieber's legal force. Bizarrely, it comes from developer RC3, who have claimed that it has the right to distribute Joustin' Beaver regardless of any trademark or publicity rights.
Two weeks ago, Bieber's lawyers sent RC3 a cease-and-desist letter threatening litigation if the app - an on-rails action game featuring a mop-haired beaver attacking evil paparazzi - wasn't immediately pulled. Instead, the company decided to file a pre-emptive lawsuit of its own.
"In an effort to comment upon the Defendant's life, the Plaintiff, RC3 developed the aforementioned App entitled "Joustin' Beaver." The App, a video game, is a parody of the commercial success of the Defendant and any celebrity," reads the lawsuit, angling for a First Amendment defence. You see, Justin? This is all your fault really! Stop being so popular!
The mobile company said it believed that it was covered by First Amendment rights and the parties had tried to talk it out in the weeks following the cease-and-desist letter. When an agreement couldn't be made, it decided to take action.
Hollywood Reporter has a copy of the filing.
Two weeks ago, Bieber's lawyers sent RC3 a cease-and-desist letter threatening litigation if the app - an on-rails action game featuring a mop-haired beaver attacking evil paparazzi - wasn't immediately pulled. Instead, the company decided to file a pre-emptive lawsuit of its own.
"In an effort to comment upon the Defendant's life, the Plaintiff, RC3 developed the aforementioned App entitled "Joustin' Beaver." The App, a video game, is a parody of the commercial success of the Defendant and any celebrity," reads the lawsuit, angling for a First Amendment defence. You see, Justin? This is all your fault really! Stop being so popular!
The mobile company said it believed that it was covered by First Amendment rights and the parties had tried to talk it out in the weeks following the cease-and-desist letter. When an agreement couldn't be made, it decided to take action.
Hollywood Reporter has a copy of the filing.
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