Rockstar sues BBC over Grand Theft Auto film – starring Daniel Radcliffe
The drama, called Game Changer, stars Radcliffe in a dramatised version of a real-life clash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rockstar, the developer behind the Grand Theft Auto series of games, is suing the BBC over a film about their creation.
The film will depict a clash between Radcliffe's character, one of the game's creators, and a lawyer who claimed that the games should be banned because they are violent. But Rockstar has sued to make sure that its "trademarks are not misused in the BBC's pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events", according to the BBC.
"While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project," the company said in a statement to IGN. ""Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC's pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games."
The company said that it had already attempted to resolve the matter with the BBC "without any meaningful resolution" and so "in this case litigation was necessary".
The BBC said that it would not comment on legal matters.
Filming is already underway on the drama. It is expected to be released later this year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments