The fight over LeBron James' tattoos has been going on since 2017 — and longer with other tattoo artists
INSANE NBA 2K Mobile Full Court Press For TEAM USA LEBRON JAMES
A jury voted unanimously Friday in favor of Take-Two Interactive Software, rejecting tattoo artist Jimmy Hayden's claims that the video game maker violated copyright when it recreated Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James in its NBA 2K series. After a week in Ohio court, the jury determined that Take-Two has an implied license to reproduce James' tattoos, something that was extended to the game maker from James' agreement with the company.
Hayden first sued Take-Two in 2017 over the use of several tattoos he did for James that were reproduced in NBA 2K games from 2016 to 2020.
Take-Two lawyer Dale Cendali said the company is "pleased" with the verdict. She continued: "The decision is an important decision for the entertainment industry. It's also an important decision for anyone who has ever gotten a tattoo and might otherwise have worried about their freedom to share their body with their tattoos. And it's a good development for tattoo artists because a contrary ruling could have deterred people from getting tattooed at a time when the art form is flourishing.” Hayden's attorneys have not responded to Polygon's request for comment.
