O.J. Simpson ordered to pay Goldmans over game - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prophecy · 08-07-2007, 01:51 PM

I wasn't exactly sure where to put this, but here it is.

Quote:

O.J. Simpson ordered to pay Goldmans over game
By Dana Ford

SANTA MONICA, California (Reuters) - Relatives of murder victim Ron Goldman won a court order on Tuesday seizing any money O.J. Simpson earns for lending his name and likeness to a football video game with a fictional team called the Assassins and a knife-wielding mascot.

The legal victory was part of an effort by Goldman's estate to satisfy a $33.5 million judgment won against Simpson in a wrongful death suit brought against him in the 1994 stabbing deaths of Goldman and Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson.

The former star running back was acquitted of criminal charges in 1995 at the end of a sensational murder trial but was found legally responsible for their deaths by a civil court jury two years later.

Simpson has maintained his innocence and vowed never to pay the jury award voluntarily.

Last week, Goldman's estate, led by his father Fred Goldman, secured rights to Simpson's aborted book, "If I Did It," containing his hypothetical first-person account of the murders, after a long legal fight with the now-bankrupt company set up to collect Simpson's reported $1 million advance.

In their latest bid to collect on the civil judgment, the Goldmans went after any licensing fees, royalties or other compensation Simpson was paid or will be paid for his name and likeness in the new video game, "All-Pro Football 2K8."

The game is published by Take-Two Interactive Software, the company behind such controversial video game titles as "Grand Theft Auto" and "Manhunt 2," which was banned in Britain and given the equivalent of an adults-only rating in the United States.

TEAM OF "ASSASSINS"

"All-Pro Football" features the likenesses of 240 retired National Football League players, including Simpson, whom game users can assign to fictional teams with preset names, one of which is "The Assassins."

As previewed on a Web site for video game promotional trailers, the team mascot is a hooded figure who makes stabbing motions with a large knife in the end zone when the Assassins score. Simpson does not have to be assigned to that team, but he was in a clip shown on the Game Trailers Web site.

Take-Two has declined to say how it obtained rights to Simpson's name and likeness but said he was compensated. The company also has issued a statement saying the knife-wielding Assassins mascot is "not specifically associated with O.J. Simpson, and the game does not promote any such connection."

Under the order issued by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg, any earnings to Simpson that "have been paid, are due or may be due in the future" for use of his image and likeness in the video game must be turned over to the Goldman estate.

Moreover, Simpson was ordered to turn over copies of his Take-Two contract and related documents, as well as any other financial deals he has yet to disclose.

"Basically he (the judge) said to Mr. Simpson, 'Pay up,"' Goldman attorney David Cook said after the hearing.

Ronald Slates, a lawyer for Simpson, argued against the order, saying the California court lacked jurisdiction over his client, who has lived in Florida for several years.

Personally, I'm truly hoping there is more to this than it seems, otherwise this craziest things I've read in a while. What do the rest of you think?

hunnychile · 08-07-2007, 02:10 PM

OJ is such a major turd!!! I think he owes the Goldmans his life - and no less...cuz I think he did it and will eventually burn in Hell for it.

Reese · 08-08-2007, 02:46 AM

I think it's wrong that you can be sued for committing a crime that you've already be clear of. I kinda believe he's guilty too, but he's been acquitted and he's innocent until proven guilty. He was NOT proven guilty, yet he was sued for doing it.. wtf? This, to me, is the legal version of double jeopardy and I believe it's wrong.

Also this article reads like the game is coming out with OJ on the team called assassins! That's completely untrue. There are legends of football and you can put them on any team you wish. One happens to be called the Assassins. OJ isn't even an assassin, He was a suspected murderer, Those killings had no political motivation. I hear they have a team called the Bulldogs too and Michael Vick can be traded to them! OH NO!

Legally.. Yeah, OJ will probably have to pay the Goldman family until he gets that lawsuit payed off.. If he did it, He's getting what he deserves, but according to the jury he didn't. Only he knows for sure. I don't like the guy, but I still can't bring myself agree with how someone can be sued for doing something when a court has already acquitted them.

Redlemon · 08-08-2007, 05:25 AM

They got the rights to 240 ex-players; I'm sure OJ's take for it was minimal to none.

Official web site
Wikipedia entry

Team names? Well, with all the professional and college teams out there, it's hard to come up with new ones.

I believe OJ is a murderer, but I think the Goldmans are pushing it with this one.

Jinn · 08-08-2007, 06:27 AM

I'd believe the Goldman's weren't pushing it if OJ had ever paid them any part of their civil damages. He's notoriously ignored them, and never paid any of his court-ordered dues in less forced to.

I think the "Assassins" team being paired with OJ is just sensationalism so this makes better news. It really had nothing to do with the money - the Goldman's would've asked for it regardless of whether or not there was a fictional team called the Assassins.

Redlemon · 08-08-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai

I'd believe the Goldman's weren't pushing it if OJ had ever paid them any part of their civil damages. He's notoriously ignored them, and never paid any of his court-ordered dues in less forced to.

I wasn't aware of that. I withdraw my above statement.

Prophecy · 08-08-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai

I'd believe the Goldman's weren't pushing it if OJ had ever paid them any part of their civil damages. He's notoriously ignored them, and never paid any of his court-ordered dues in less forced to.

Well, under law the Goldman's can't touch O.J.'s NFL pension, or that which he "needs" to live. I was under the impression, he was dodging the Goldman's verdict by not making any extra money instead of making it and hiding it.

I'm with Cybermike on this one, he was found not guilty in criminal and I think the civil ruling was a bunch of bull. At this point I don't feel sad for Fred Goldman, doubt it's truly about his child anymore, I think he's just money grubbing.

08-07-2007, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	OJ is such a major turd!!! I think he owes the Goldmans his life - and no less...cuz I think he did it and will eventually burn in Hell for it. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

08-08-2007, 02:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	I think it's wrong that you can be sued for committing a crime that you've already be clear of. I kinda believe he's guilty too, but he's been acquitted and he's innocent until proven guilty. He was NOT proven guilty, yet he was sued for doing it.. wtf? This, to me, is the legal version of double jeopardy and I believe it's wrong. Also this article reads like the game is coming out with OJ on the team called assassins! That's completely untrue. There are legends of football and you can put them on any team you wish. One happens to be called the Assassins. OJ isn't even an assassin, He was a suspected murderer, Those killings had no political motivation. I hear they have a team called the Bulldogs too and Michael Vick can be traded to them! OH NO! Legally.. Yeah, OJ will probably have to pay the Goldman family until he gets that lawsuit payed off.. If he did it, He's getting what he deserves, but according to the jury he didn't. Only he knows for sure. I don't like the guy, but I still can't bring myself agree with how someone can be sued for doing something when a court has already acquitted them. __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

08-08-2007, 05:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	They got the rights to 240 ex-players; I'm sure OJ's take for it was minimal to none. Official web site Wikipedia entry Team names? Well, with all the professional and college teams out there, it's hard to come up with new ones. I believe OJ is a murderer, but I think the Goldmans are pushing it with this one. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

08-08-2007, 06:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	I'd believe the Goldman's weren't pushing it if OJ had ever paid them any part of their civil damages. He's notoriously ignored them, and never paid any of his court-ordered dues in less forced to. I think the "Assassins" team being paired with OJ is just sensationalism so this makes better news. It really had nothing to do with the money - the Goldman's would've asked for it regardless of whether or not there was a fictional team called the Assassins. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel