Lawrence Sullivan, also known as the Florida Joker, has demanded up to $2 million from Rockstar Games for using his likeness in GTA VI.
The Florida Joker took to social media platform TikTok to call out Rockstar Games for using his likeness, as claimed by him, in the GTA VI debut trailer. He also called out those who had told him he’s “hallucinating” regarding the joker character in the GTA VI trailer being based on him, calling them wrong. He showed a side-by-side visual comparison between the character and himself, and said with certainty that the former is based on him.
“We gotta talk”, said Sullivan to Rockstar Games, proceeding to demand up to $2 million from the developer in exchange for taking “his life”.
Meanwhile, a Twitter user asked lawyer Rob Freund, who has previously won a case for a video game publisher over the exact same issue, what the Florida Joker’s chances are in a legal battle against Rockstar Games. In his response, Freund stated that Sullivan’s chances of getting any kind of compensation are very low. He mentioned that Lindsay Lohan tried the exact same thing against Rockstar and lost.
Freund stated that none of the tattoos on the GTA VI character are the same, his hair isn’t the same, and his face isn’t the same. He said that it’s just another person with face tattoos, and he believes that’s what Rockstar Games would say. Freund said that he’d bet on the GTA creator prevailing. He added that he doesn’t think the similarities between the two are clear enough. He also stated tht referencing someone isn’t enough to be considered unlawful.
Based on what Freund said, it doesn’t look like Sullivan has much of a case to work with here, especially considering the fees involved in hiring a lawyer to fight the legal battle. As such, it’s unlikely that the Florida Joker will pursue this matter outside of highlighting it over social media.
