Ex-dictator Manuel Noriega sues over 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II'

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Podcasts Take Two

Jul 17, 2014

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Ex-dictator Manuel Noriega sues over 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II'

This week, former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega filed a lawsuit against the video game publisher Activision for the use of his likeness in the game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II."

Screen shot of Manuel Noriega in the video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II."

This week, former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega filed a lawsuit against the video game publisher Activision for the use of his likeness in the game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II."

In 1989, Manuel Noriega, then military dictator of Panama, was ousted during a U.S.-led invasion. He's currently in prison in Panama for money laundering.

In the virtual world, the video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II," Noriega still reigns in Panama. The game is set in Latin America and features scenes in which the ex-dictator aids CIA operatives before betraying them.

The real Noriega isn't too happy about it. This week, he filed a lawsuit against video game developer, Activision Blizzard, seeking lost profits and damages. Jennifer Rothman, law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, joins us to talk about the case and recent ones like it.