EA drops gun licenses, will use them anyway

[Yukari Yakumo]

Publisher says it doesn't need manufacturers' approval to put their weapons into games

Electronic Arts is dropping some of its licensing partners, but will continue to feature their products in its games. According to Reuters, the publisher has terminated its licensing deals with gun manufacturers, but intends to keep featuring their firearms in its games.

"We're telling a story and we have a point of view," EA Labels head Frank Gibeau said. "A book doesn't pay for saying the word 'Colt,' for example."

[...]

The gun lobby in the US has been vocally critical of video games in the months since a December school shooting at a Connecticut elementary school left dozens dead, but EA said the decision to drop the licenses was not related

ummm... okay?

Likely a big bunch of nothing... i think.

[badtoworse]

1. I would say they should be careful about using trademarks for which they are not licensed

Trademarks are intellectual property and they may wind up with a bunch of lawsuits.

[Drale]

2. As long as they don't use names I don't see a problem

How can the gun manufacturer prove its one kind of gun or another? Do what Golden-eye did, just rename all the guns.

[baldguy]

3. Seems they want to have their cake and eat it too.

They've been taking blood money for the free advertizing they give weapons manufacturers for years.