A slot machine manufacturer must be ruing the day that he ignored Arnold Schwarzenegger’s battle cry of “I’ll be back.” The muscled star of True Lies is suing International Game Technology Inc. for over $20 million after they used his picture and voice on a Terminator-themed game without seeking his permission.
“My client never gave those rights that his photo could be used and has never consented to the use of his voice,” said the action hero’s lawyer Marty Singer. He also said that Arnold had said no to numerous offers by companies wishing him to endorse their products. “He’s turned down offers as high as $20 million in the United States,” continued the attorney, “so if someone uses his likeness for a product without his authorisation, then he should get paid a fee commensurate to what he has previously been offered.”
The Nevada-based gaming company, which makes more than $1 billion per annum from sales, and has a market share of over 50 per cent, claimed that they were licensed by two other companies, Canal Plus in France, and the Los Angeles-based Creative Licensing Corporation, to market the Terminator-esque slot machine. “Since we are very protective of our own property rights, we are extremely cautious of the property rights of others,” said Rick Sorensen, the spokesman for International Game Technology.
The lawsuit, which was filed on September 7 in Los Angeles Superior Court, said that Arnold was “particularly circumspect to avoid using his name, likeness or image for certain industries such as gambling”, while adding that he was also worried about his image becoming overexposed.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
