Published , by Kevin Tucker
Published , by Kevin Tucker
One of the ways that Epic Games is able to capture the imagination of Fortnite players is through a large number of entertaining emotes like Fortnite Carlton dance. More technically referred to as the Fresh emote, the Carlton dance is modeled after actor Alfonso Ribeiro's signature movies playing Carlton Banks on television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and its inclusion in the title has lead Ribeiro to file a lawsuit against Epic Games.
According to a report from TMZ, Ribeiro's suit against Epic Games claims that the studio "completely ripped off the famous dance his character, Carlton Banks, did on the show throughout the series" (via TMZ). Ribeiro will be represented by attorney David Hecht of Pierce Bainbridge Beck Prince & Hecht LLP, who is quoted saying "it is widely regarded that Mr. Ribeiro's likeness and intellectual property have been misappropriated by Epic Games in the most popular video game currently in the world, Fortnite."
Hecht adds that "Epic has earned record profits off of downloadable content in the game, including emotes like "Fresh." Yet Epic has failed to compensate or even ask permission from Mr. Ribeiro for the use of his likeness and iconic intellectual property."
The same source states that Ribeiro has also filed an identical suit against 2K Games, developer of the NBA 2K series. Even so, Ribeiro's case isn't the first to be brought upon Epic Games, with YouTube rapper 2 Milly suing the game over similarities between the "Milly Rock" dance and Fortnite's "Swipe It" emote. The main points of contention in both cases involve Fortnite's tremendous popularity (and profits) as well as the notion that emotes generate revenue for Epic Games, money that the plaintiffs believe belongs to them.
Legal matters like the Fortnite Carlton dance lawsuit are bringing out more conversation about specific intellectual property rights with regard to choreographed movement. The argument can be made that some dances are the property of their creators, though many might suggest that such dances are only profitable given a greater context afforded by video games. It's unlikely that Ribeiro was making any sort of money off Carlton's dance before, but now that Epic Games is, perhaps now is the time he'll start seeing dividends.