Richards Group Entangled In Sony, Bridgestone Lawsuit
Ad shop The Richards Group has been dragged into an ongoing court battle between Sony Computer Entertainment and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Sony sued Bridgestone
last year for allegedly misappropriating the “Kevin Butler” character that Sony had used in many of its PlayStation game system ads. A Bridgestone ad last year used the same actor that
portrayed Kevin Butler for Sony to promote a giveaway it was doing with competing console maker Nintendo.
While Bridgestone insisted the actor portrayed a different character, Sony charged
that the tire company created unlawful confusion in the marketplace that led to a loss of business. It cited using the same actor who was barred by contract from working with competing game system
makers.
Now, in an amended complaint filed earlier this month, Sony has sued The Richards Group, alleging that it too is legally liable because it was involved in creating and placing on TV
the offending ad for Bridgestone.
Sony alleged that it had information leading it to believe that Richards and Bridgestone began working with Kevin Butler actor Jerry Lambert on the ad
starting in February 2012. Sony also alleged that the two defendants were aware at the time Lambert had a contract with Sony that barred him from working with any competing game system marketers such
as Nintendo.
Lambert was also sued by Sony but settled in January and agreed (among other things) not to appear in ads and promotions for game systems that compete with Sony for a period of
two years.
In court papers filed last week, Bridgestone denied Sony’s specific allegation that Richards was its “agent” in producing and broadcasting the ad, although the
tire maker didn’t dispute that Richards had some involvement.
What Bridgestone did say was that “any allegedly wrongful acts performed by [Richards], if there were any, cannot
be imputed to Bridgestone because the actions alleged were not within the scope of conduct,” authorized by it in its contractual relationship with the agency.
Richards has yet to
respond to Sony’s allegations. A rep for the agency did not immediately respond to a query seeking comment.
Recent MediaDailyNews Articles
-
Original 'Voice' Judges Return May 17, 5:41 p.m.
The original quartet of coaches for “The Voice” will return for the fifth season this fall. ... -
Van Wagner Partners With CineSport For Online Video May 17, 5:34 p.m.
Van Wagner Communications’ Sports and Entertainment division is joining forces with CineSport, partly owned by Van ... -
'Idol' Falls, 'Bang' Leads Thursdays May 17, 3:38 p.m.
TV broadcast networks environment is definitely shifting -- as evidence of last major night of the ... -
Sapient Revs Up 12%, Optimistic About 2013 May 17, 2:47 p.m.
Marketing services company Sapient reported first-quarter revenues of $292.6 million, up 12% from the same period ... -
KSE Finalizes Outdoor Channel Buy May 17, 11:08 a.m.
An entity controlled by sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke has finalized its acquisition of the Outdoor Channel ... -
'Tonight' Still King Of Late-Night TV May 17, 10:49 a.m.
While NBC proceeds to sets up its late-night changes for next year, "The Tonight Show with ... -
U.S. Open Going Cable-Only, Moves To ESPN May 17, 9:18 a.m.
After decades on the network that saw stars from Ashe to Navratilova to Federer win, the ... -
USA Looks To Make Comedy King In The New Season May 16, 10:22 p.m.
What do you do when you’re the last network putting on the last event of the ... -
Comedy Central Goes Dark To Simulcast New Radio Channel May 16, 6:12 p.m.
For the first time since its tribute to Johnny Carson 20 years ago, Comedy Central will ... -
MGM Doubles Revs, 'Hobbit' Helps May 16, 5:56 p.m.
A big positive swing for MGM Holdings was seen in its first-quarter earning results, thanks to ...
Be the first to comment on "Richards Group Entangled In Sony, Bridgestone Lawsuit "
Leave a Comment