Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive, the makers of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V, have been officially sued by the ‘Mean Girls’ star Lindsay Lohan, over the Lacey Jonas character, claimed to be an “unequivocal” reference to the actress.
According to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan court, Rockstar Games have used Lohan’s likeness, image, voice, clothing line ranging from sunglasses to jean shorts and hats to even the hair style for the Lacey Jonas character, without her permission in the blockbuster game.
The suit alleges that the in-game hotel Gentry Manor is also based on West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont, the famous hotel where the actress once resided and “often frequents.” Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are accused of creating a Lohan look alike Lacey Jonas to boost sales of the video game.
The character in question in GTA V, attempts to avoid paparazzi with the help of players as a part of a mission. Players will have to escort her to the hotel in the game and the dialogues portray the character to be a popular Vinewood actress.
Lohan claims that the game violates her privacy rights under New York law, and is seeking undetermined damages from the makers of the game. The actress noted that other companies for using her likeness pay her.
The news about the lawsuit first emerged in December, just months after the launch of GTA V in September, with sales topping $800 million on its first day and over $1 billion in revenue in just 72 hours.
Last year, TMZ reported that Lohan’s lawyers were in process of drafting a lawsuit, demanding “serious money” from the makers of game.
Since the launch, more than 33 million copies have been shipped on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 alone, with the figures expected to increase further as the game will be launched for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC later this fall.
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have refused to comment on any questions related to the lawsuit.
