Tattoo studio sues Take-Two Interactive for $1,144,000

Stink over the ink

A tattoo studio is suing NBA 2K16 publisher Take-Two Interactive for $1,144,000.

According to Hollywood Reporter (via Eurogamer), Solid Oak Sketches filed a copyright on Monday for the tattoos of eight different NBAers – including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, DeAndrew Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and Kenyon Bryant – for the unauthorised reproduction of tattoo designs.

The tattoos were created by Shawn Rome, Justin Wright, and Tommy Ray Cornett, who maintain that they had signed copyright license agreements with the players.

Claiming that the value of the tattoos is $819,500, the studio wants $1,144,000 to permit perpetual license to use the designs. As James’ tattoos are visible on the cover, the claim maintains that “given that those two tattoos are ‘the face’ of the 2014 game, their marketing and promotion value is, conservatively, at least four times the value of the rest of the tattoos.”

“It’s clear that they knew that this was something that was to be negotiated,” said Darren Heitner of Heitner Legal.

This isn’t the first time a professional’s tattoo has caused issues. In 2012, tattooer Chris Escobedo successfully sued THQ for using Carlos Condit’s tattoo in UFC Undisputed 3, securing $22,500.

You can read the whole complaint below…

Tattoo Copyright NBA2K