A man known for his distinctive facial tattoos, dubbed the Florida Joker, has accused video game giant Rockstar Games of appropriating his likeness in the GTA 6 trailer.
Lawrence Sullivan gained internet fame in 2017 when his mugshot, featuring extensive facial tattoos, went viral after his arrest in Miami for brandishing a weapon at passing vehicles.
In a TikTok video, he points out striking similarities between his own appearance and that of a tattooed character in the GTA 6 trailer, asserting that Rockstar Games used him as inspiration.
The trailer, breaking records with over 93 million views on YouTube in its first 24 hours, drew attention for scenes reminiscent of viral Florida incidents, such as an alligator entering a convenience store and a police chase involving a naked man.
Sullivan demands a conversation with the gaming company or compensation of “a mil or two” for allegedly using his likeness without permission. He underscores the resemblance in a side-by-side comparison of his mugshot and the in-game character, insisting, “That’s me. That’s the person they got their inspiration from. That’s me.”
This accusation follows a similar case involving actor Lindsay Lohan, who sued Rockstar Games in 2014, claiming a character in GTA 5 resembled her. However, the New York Supreme Court dismissed the suit in 2016, citing the game’s fictional nature and the absence of direct references to Lohan.
The court ruled that video game avatars do not constitute an infringement on personal likeness under advertising laws.
Sullivan’s claim adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the use of real-world likenesses in virtual realms, posing a potential legal challenge for the gaming industry.
[Image via YouTube / @RockstarGames]