Sony has responded to reports claiming that it is suing Bridgestone and advertising agency Wildcat Creek over a commercial starring Jerry Lambert – the actor famous for portraying Kevin Butler in a slew of different PlayStation commercials. In a comment released to VentureBeat, the publisher’s senior director of corporate communications Dan Race confirmed that the company had filed a lawsuit against the aforementioned offending parties, and noted that “use of the Kevin Butler character to sell products other than those from PlayStation misappropriates Sony’s intellectual property, creates confusion in the market, and causes damage to Sony”.
He added: “The claims are based on violations of the Lanham Act, misappropriation, breach of contract and tortious interference with a contractual relationship. We invested significant resources in bringing the Kevin Butler character to life and he’s become an iconic personality directly associated with PlayStation products over the years.”
According to CorporateWiki.com, Lambert is the president of Wildcat Creek – meaning that Sony is technically suing the actor by extension. Unsurprisingly, Race wouldn’t comment on what impact that will have on the bogus executive’s future as the face of PlayStation. We're going to go out on a limb and guess that you won't be hearing much from the sarcastic suit in the future.
[source venturebeat.com]
Comments 9
It's his own fault, should have known the contract, and seriously, you didn't think touching the competition wouldn't piss Sony off?
I second that.
@hydeks Yeah, it's a difficult one. From what it sounds like Lambert was definitely in the wrong, but you can't help but feel that by suing Sony's squandered all of the investment its put into Butler anyway. I can't imagine the working relationship between the two parties will be the same again.
Wasn't he selling tires in the commercial? What makes them claim he was using the "Kevin Butler character"?
@Squiggle55 It was a Bridgestone commercial, but it featured a tie-in with the Nintendo Wii.
I wonder if Kevin Butler is the final boss in PS AllStars? Now he's being sued. Oh well, he wont be in Rush Hour 3.
May have been wrong but was a pinch to Sony fans by saying it is confusing,I guess I amif I sick with Sony
I wrote this on yesterday'a article but I'm still standing by it, and I bet the judge does as well -
"He signed a "non-compete" contract? So when did Sony start selling automobile tires?"
I've seen the commercial and I don't recall him being refered to as Kevin Butler or wearing a Sony suit or smack talking Sony. I know why Sony would sue - when you have lawyers on retainer who are getting paid by the billable hour the lawyers are going to do whatever they can, but that doesn't make it a win.
So his face is Sonys property
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