WWE and Take-Two Interactive could be headed to court after a tattoo artist filed suit over the replication of her artwork being featured in numerous titles in the WWE 2K series.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, artist Catherine Alexander is asking for remuneration after several tattoos she designed and inked for pro-wrestler Randy Orton between the years of 2003 and 2009 have repeatedly been featured on Orton's in-game character model. The six tattoos in question include a dove, a skull, a bible verse and several tribal patterns.
On Saturday, Illinois judge Staci Yandle offered partial summary judgement on the case. Yandle ruled that while WWE and Take-Two did copy Alexander's work in-game by recreating her art on Orton's character model, it would be up to a jury as to whether this move qualifies as copyright infringement. The outcome of this lawsuit could set an industry-changing precedent for tattoos and their representation going forward.
