Activision Doesn't Want to Give Money to Imprisoned Former Dictators

Now heres a gem from the not-so-distant past.

I'm not sure if you all remember, but earlier this summer (back in July), one Manuel Noriegathe former dictator of Panama who had been convicted and jailed for drug trafficking and money laundering revealed he was going to sue Activision for his portrayal in Call of Duty Black Ops II where he was depicted as "a kidnapper, murderer, and enemy of state".  Citing the game as libel, he looked to get compensation for damages he suffered due to his likeness being used without his permission.

Turns out, he went through with it.  There's a case currently being considered, but if Activision and their lawyers including Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and current partner of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, the firm representing Activision have their way, the case will merely be dismissed as frivolous... meaning it will be thrown out without either parties having to show up in court.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Giuliani had this to say:
 

"What's astonishing is that Manuel Noriega, a notorious dictator who is in prison for the heinous crimes he committed, is upset about being portrayed as a criminal and enemy of the state in the game Call of Duty. Quite simply, it's absurd.  I'm not interested in giving handouts to a convicted murderer and drug smuggler like Manuel Noriega who is demanding money from Activision and its popular Call of Duty franchise for simply exercising its right to free speech. Noriega's attack on the rights of Call of Duty comes as no surprise considering he's a lawless tyrant who trampled over the rights of his own people."

An Activison press release continued further, saying that if this lawsuit was successful, it would:
 

"give numerous historical and political figures - and their heirs - a veto right over their appearances in works of art, having a chilling effect on movies such as Forrest Gump and Zero Dark Thirty, TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and Boardwalk Empire, and beloved books such as Primary Colors and The Paris Wife, just to name a few."

That might not be bad in all cases a lot of famous historic villains were actually heroes, and vice-versa but we should probably play it safe anyway and not give money to an imprisoned dictator.  You know as a matter of principle.