"HAMBURG, Germany (AP) -- An appeals court ruled Tuesday in favor of Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in his bid to prevent his name and image from being used in a U.S. company's computer game without his permission.
Hamburg's highest state court upheld a similar verdict by a lower court against Electronic Arts, the maker of the computer game, which is based in Redwood City, California.
Kahn's lawyer, Matthias Prinz, told reporters the ruling could open the way for Kahn and other players whose names and images were used to seek damages.
However, a lawyer for the company, Volker Meinberg, said he planned to take the case to a federal court.
Meinberg said the company had obtained a license from the international players' union for its FIFA 2002 game and argued that it was within legally guaranteed artistic freedom.
The Hamburg court ruled, however, that Kahn's personal rights had been violated.
Kahn's lawyer said his client had turned down a "four-digit" settlement proposal from the computer company before the hearing."
News taken from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/01/13/bc.eu.spt.soc.kahn.verdict.ap/
What are your thoughts on this verdict?
Hamburg's highest state court upheld a similar verdict by a lower court against Electronic Arts, the maker of the computer game, which is based in Redwood City, California.
Kahn's lawyer, Matthias Prinz, told reporters the ruling could open the way for Kahn and other players whose names and images were used to seek damages.
However, a lawyer for the company, Volker Meinberg, said he planned to take the case to a federal court.
Meinberg said the company had obtained a license from the international players' union for its FIFA 2002 game and argued that it was within legally guaranteed artistic freedom.
The Hamburg court ruled, however, that Kahn's personal rights had been violated.
Kahn's lawyer said his client had turned down a "four-digit" settlement proposal from the computer company before the hearing."
News taken from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/01/13/bc.eu.spt.soc.kahn.verdict.ap/
What are your thoughts on this verdict?