Epic Games and Take-Two Interactive Face Lawsuits Over Dance Emotes in Fortnite and NBA 2K18
Alfonso Ribeiro, the actor known for his iconic dance on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” is taking legal action against Epic Games, the developer of the popular game Fortnite, as well as Take-Two Interactive, the developer of NBA 2K18. According to Variety, Ribeiro’s law firm confirmed the lawsuit today regarding the use of his dance emote “Fresh.” Similarly, rapper 2 Milly is also suing Take-Two Interactive for the unauthorized use of his dance, the “Milly Rock,” in both Fortnite and NBA 2K18.
Backpack Kid Joins the Lawsuit
Joining Ribeiro and 2 Milly in their legal battle are other artists, including Instagram personality Backpack Kid. Both Take-Two Interactive and Epic Games have used his dance in their games without authorization. In Fortnite, his dance is known as “The Floss.”
Creators Speak Out Against Epic Games
Aside from the artists who have taken legal action, other creators have spoken publicly about Epic Games’ practice of incorporating dances into Fortnite without permission or compensation. Chance the Rapper criticized the company in a tweet, suggesting that the original creators of the dances should receive a portion of the profits made from the emotes.
The Issue: Lack of Permission and Compensation
The main issue for all these creators is the absence of permission to use their dances in the games and the lack of compensation for the sales of their emotes. They claim that neither Epic Games nor Take-Two Interactive sought their approval or offered them any share of the revenue generated by their dances.
As of now, Epic Games has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.