Church Of England May Sue Sony

[dgridley]

LONDON (AP) - The Church of England accused Sony Corp. (SNE) on Saturday of using an English cathedral as the backdrop to a violent computer game and said it should be withdrawn from shop shelves.

The church said Sony did not ask for permission to use Manchester cathedral and demanded an apology.

The popular new PlayStation 3 game, "Resistance: Fall of Man," shows a virtual shootout between rival gunmen with hundreds of people killed inside the cathedral. Church officials described Sony's alleged use of the building as "sick" and sacrilegious.

A spokesman for the Church of England said a letter will be sent to Sony on Monday. If the church's request for an apology and withdrawal of the game is not met, the church will consider legal action, the spokesman said.

Sony spokeswoman Amy Lake told The Associated Press on Saturday that the company's PlayStation division was looking into the matter and would release a statement later.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070609/D8PL8PP80.html

"shrugs"

:hi: :imho:

 

[James]

how could they prove its the church, its animated graphics rofl

 

[Peter]

According to the news report I saw yesterday regarding this Sony claim that they have received all the necessary permission. I would doubt and hope Sony would make sure they got something like that correct.

 

[commes]

I didn't even notice that there was a church cathedral on that game, and I've completed the whole game, so it's no big deal, most people don't notice it anyhow! Besides, it's a great game, so let things be.

-Commes

 

[DBADT2007]

ummm, I am a bit confused here. I thought that this would be covered under free speech and the fact that the church is a landmark/public place there couldn't be a valid claim (as in rights to your image). Anyone care to elaborate more on this?

 

[Peter]

Free speech is limited you can't do or say exactly as you wish as you could then break other laws.

Regarding a church being a public place, in reality a church is not a public place they are owned by the governing church ie the church of England etc. You are allowed access to them put that does not make them a public building, they are private property.

 

[Morph]

God Vs Sony

Will be interesting

 

[dgridley]

Indeed.. :D

God Vs Sony

Will be interesting

 

[Epic]

Resistance: Fall of Man isn't the first game to have shootouts in a church...

I haven't heard of any other companies getting sued for it though.