We have an update in regards to the lawsuit between Randy Orton’s tattoo artist & WWE/2K Sports.
Several months ago Orton’s tattoo artist, Catherine Alexander, filed a lawsuit against the companies. She alleged they used her original tattoo designs on the WWE 2K video game without her permission.
In full, Alexander is suing WWE, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 2K Games, Inc., 2K Sports, Inc., Visual Concepts Entertainment, Yuke’s Co., Ltd. and Yuke’s LA Inc.
Attempt To Dismiss The Case
Previously, both WWE and 2K Sports attempted to have the suit dismissed. Alexander filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court of Southern District of Illinois. However, WWE is headquartered out of Connecticut.
As a result, WWE argued the United States District Court of Southern District of Illinois doesn’t hold jurisdiction over them.
PWInsider reports that Alexander responded by saying “the court does not have personal jurisdiction over each entity because they chose specifically to aim their alleged infringement of her copyrighted work directly in the State of Illinois and because when previously contacted, WWE offered her a payment of $450 for the rights. ”
The response also included copies of six copyright applications for the assorted designs. They dated back to March of 2018. The court has ordered that all findings in regards to the case wrap up by January 7th.
A settlement conference has been scheduled for April 16th.
