Author: Aston Bond Law Firm

July was a busy month in the world of claims against video game developers and publishers. American celebrities are suing many large corporations for using their likeness in video games without their permission, as abreach of their ‘personality rights’.

Rockstar’s hugely popular Grand Theft Auto V’s character ‘Lacey Jonas’ has come under scrutiny for her marked resemblance to controversial actress Lindsay Lohan. Lohan has filed a law suit against the creators of Grand Theft Auto V, claiming that there is an “unequivocal” reference to her appearance, clothing and likeness. The clothing that Lacey is seen wearing in the game is quite clearly modelled on Lohan’s style and the character even lives in one of the hotels that Lohan used to frequent – something that is not being viewed as a coincidence.
However, it is not just Lindsay Lohan who is aggrieved by a character copying her style in a video game. Political figure Manuel Noriega is suing video game hotshots Activision Blizzard for using his name and likeness without obtaining the required permission. The character features in the hugely popular ‘Black Ops II’ video game, and Noreiga claims the game developers show him as ‘a kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state’. He also claims that the use of his image led to ‘profits that they would otherwise not have made’.

In the US individuals possess what is known as ‘personality rights’ and therefore reserve the right to claim against anyone they believe is using their likeness, unauthorised, to endorse their products or services.

While these sort of claims are rife in the US, here in the UK we do not have any explicit ‘personality rights’. Instead, celebrities may be able to claim that others are passing off images as relating to them or infringing their trademarks.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what the US courts make of these high profile cases.

Joel Chapman, Marketing

Link to the article from the Slough Express

Bizarre birthday surprises have become a tradition at Aston Bond, 3 years ago, an anonymous group of employees had an interesting birthday cake designed for their boss Stephen Puri, one such that is suitable only for mature pairs of eyes only. They thought that their boss would appreciate the design of the cake. Apparently he did not!

Not deterred by their boss’s less than impressed reaction to the rude cake, the following year the group of employees had a birthday cake designed of the CEO’s face.

Last year, in keeping with the newly formed tradition, the group of employees had a life size cardboard-cut-out designed of the CEO, which now takes pride of place in the office.

This year, with expectations at fever pitch, the anonymous group of employees (believed to be growing by the year) thought that they would go all-out.

The group called upon Suzie Kennedy, a world renowned Marilyn Monroe lookalike, to attend the firm’s office and sing Stephen happy birthday. The Marilyn Monroe lookalike appeared, to Stephen’s shock, singing “happy birthday Mr President”, during an end of month staff lunch. Marilyn also sang “I wanna be loved by you” and “My heart belongs to daddy”, truly living up to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic status.

A huge cake was also designed of the firm’s new offices on Windsor Road, Slough – another fantastic surprise.

Stephen said, shortly after the performance, that he was rarely short of words but on this occasion he was certainly speechless!

The group of employees who organised the event were delighted with the success of the event and most importantly, the shock caused to their boss! Rumours have already begun about what next year’s instalment will bring…

In 2009, the Data Retention Regulations (SI 2009/859) were implemented by the Labour government in response to the 2006 EU Data Retention Directive which required the EU states to store citizens’ data for a minimum of six months, and for up to 24 months. In the UK, the current law is for Internet and phone providers to keep data for 12 months. However, the European Court of Justice declared the original 2006 law invalid in April 2014, it claimed; “it’s a serious interference with the right to privacy and the right to protection of personal data”. The previous EU Directive allowed the government to retain phone calls, text messages and internet messages for up to 18 months.

Since then, the UK has come under fire and is allegedly breaking the law by continuing to implement the Data Retention Regulations of 2009, despite the EU changing its policies. It is unclear as to why the government hasn’t forced Internet Service Providers and Communications Providers to change their policies, with the information it is providing to companies being described as unclear.

Controversy

However, the UK has recently passed an ‘emergency’ Data Retention and Investigation Powers Bill. This Bill allows data to be intercepted from any ‘remote storage’ and for data to be retained for up to 12 months.

Critics have argued that this Bill allows the UK to expand its powers relating to data retention, under the justification of prevention of terrorism. The actions of the UK in not following the EU’s recently set policies are somewhat surprising. The ‘emergency’ law will still be in effect as late as 2016, so ISPs and communication companies will continue monitoring our calls, browsing and online activities.

Joel Chapman, Marketing Assistant

Aston Bond would like to send our congratulations to friend of the firm Ajay Maru. Mr Maru is a Labour ward councillor for Kenton West, and has recently been appointed as Mayor of Harrow.

In a recent interview, he said “I am honoured to take on this role as Mayor and I am committed to supporting our residents and bringing communities together”. One of his focuses is to “help local business and the business community” claiming that Harrow helped his business to ‘flourish’.

We would like to wish Mr Maru all the best in his new role, from the team here at Aston Bond.

Sumeet is a member of the Aston Bond property team and specialises in all aspects of commercial and high value residential property. Sumeet has experience in dealing with a range of acquisitions, disposals, Landlord and Tenant matters and secured lending transactions.

Before joining Aston Bond Sumeet previously worked at Harold Benjamin solicitors in Harrow and Charlsey Harrison solicitors in Slough.