EA Suing Over South Park Tiger Woods Episode
EA isn't happy about a recent episode of South Park.
EA Sports is said to be poised and ready to sue South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over a just-aired episode (and season premier) called "Sexual Healing." Although EA Sports has not made an official announcement, the conflict centers around the use of the upcoming game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and its fictional contents shown in the episode.
According to Daily Informer, the South Park version of the game features a level depicting Tiger Woods and his wife physically beating each other up. The game also supposedly offers an action sequence based on the first scandal's car crash. Eventually the fictional EA Sports title transforms into something like Street Fighter IV as seen in the image.
The site reports that EA already knew about the episode before it aired, and was worried about its contents. Now that the season premier has come and gone, EA "top beef" execs--even Peter Moore was named--are fired up and are talking about a possible lawsuit. Evidently they didn't think the parody was all that funny.
"While I personally found the episode quite funny, there are definitely a few copyright infringements in there that I’m sure will be dealt with accordingly," said Daily Informer's inside "source."
Fans can see the season premier uncensored by heading to the official South Park website.
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I thought it was funny. I don't remember any infringements taking place. People that buy Tiger Woods golf games probably don't watch South Park anyway.
Joystiq says they've contacted EA and they say this is false.
As a result of this I've just decided never to purchase a game by EA again. By allegiance to South Park is far greater than EA. Burn baby burn.
For the most part, parody is considered protected speech under the law. I find it hard to believe that EA will be able to win a case. Also, no reasonable individual would believe that the South Park depiction is an actual representation of the game (a crucial aspect of these types of cases).
Hard to believe this is true. It is near impossible to sue someone over a parody. The courts have recognized the legality of "Just Kidding" for some time now.
wait....so you wont be able to kick the crap out of tiger words in the new golf game?????
Where's the asking for a intewiew from ESPN level?
Instead of a lawsuit it may be just the pr types trying to generate interest in the game.
Even the Church of Scientology didn't sue South Park and they sue everyone!
Boycot EA
EA just goes further down the path to oblivion. Just like in that South Park episode where those musicians refuse to play because of music downloads, EA should sit out and refuse to sell games because of piracy. Heck, people pirate XBOS, WII, and PS3 games too. Cancel those also.
This is going to be a fail since it's satire.
so... let's sue you for an imaginary game that doesn't exist?
sounds like a winner!
Boycot South Park. Only people with 3 grade mantallity watch South Park anyway so i don't think EA or Tiger have too much to worry about. Tiger is the best Golfer ever and he shall return to the top of the Kingdom soon. And Tiger will be around and remembered long after SP.
Tomshardware writes:
"Evidently they didn't think the parody was all that funny."
Next sentence quoting the people who didn't find it funny:
"While I personally found the episode quite funny,..."
Really?
Maybe EA should start focusing on making decent games and not who's parodying them. Seriously, you Corporate types have nothing better to do than cry like a bunch of little girls.
i think EA is upset cos southpark was using a pirated copy ... of a fake game ...
I thought the fictional game parody looked like it added alot more fun to the overly relaxing golf game. "Prenup Power Up"! all the way.
Boycot South Park. Only people with 3 grade mantallity watch South Park anyway so i don't think EA or Tiger have too much to worry about. Tiger is the best Golfer ever and he shall return to the top of the Kingdom soon. And Tiger will be around and remembered long after SP.
What handkerchief?
its south park...what's new? =P
Boycot South Park. Only people with 3 grade mantallity watch South Park anyway so i don't think EA or Tiger have too much to worry about. Tiger is the best Golfer ever and he shall return to the top of the Kingdom soon. And Tiger will be around and remembered long after SP.
I actually believe the guy was joking. This is after all the site that boycotts EA.
South Park forever!!! EA can suck it!
Wait! You mean there isn't a fighting level in the next PGA Tour game? Well, to hell with buying that!
Joystiq says they've contacted EA and they say this is false.
This
now there's a golf game I'd buy!
There's a turd in the punchbowl.
its South Park, the joke was funny... get over it MK!
Going after south park is one of the worst PR moves someone can make.
EA is just pissed that they didn't add that stuff to their game.
*chuckles* EA is gonna lose if they try.
As a result of this I've just decided never to purchase a game by EA again. By allegiance to South Park is far greater than EA. Burn baby burn.
After their stupid stunt with C&C4's DRM nobody should need any more of a reason to boycott this craptacular games company. besides, people who play computer sport games are just sad losers.