Son of Godfather Author Sues over Games

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Anthony Puzo, son of deceased The Godfather author Mario Puzo, has filed a lawsuit against Godfather license holder Paramount Pictures claiming breach of contract over a licensed 2006 video game.

Demanding at least $1 million in compensation, Puzo, who inherited his father's estate in 1999, says he never received any royalty payments from the licensed, EA Redwood Shores-produced video game.

Containing elements of Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather film trilogy--itself based on Mario Puzo's acclaimed novel--the game arrived on PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox, and PSP. PlayStation 3 and Wii editions of the title followed in 2007.

Anthony Puzo believes he is entitled to said payments due to an alleged 1992 agreement between his father and Paramount. According to Reuters, the supposed deal entitled the author's estate to "a significant share of the revenue of any audio-visual products sold or rented with elements of the 'Godfather' movies."

A second Godfather game has since been revealed. Though platforms and a release date are unknown, the upcoming sequel is said to allow control of a mafia empire from the streets or from an RTS-like top-down view.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 19, 2008 3:35 PM

    [deleted]

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      June 19, 2008 3:37 PM

      pretty much... but if the contract states it, the developers are screwed heh

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        June 19, 2008 3:39 PM

        I can't say I'd just let a large portion of cash like that go if I was legally entitled to it.

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      June 19, 2008 3:40 PM

      If he has rights to his father's estate, than more power to him.
      His father's writtings are protected under copyright law and are not available for free use without written consent of the author or the person in charge of their estate. This would be a reasonable lawsuit IMO.

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      June 19, 2008 3:50 PM

      So, comrade, if I die tomorrow, who do you propose should get my shit?

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        June 19, 2008 3:52 PM

        I have never heard of the "fecal estate"

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      June 19, 2008 10:50 PM

      Yeah, poor guy didn't get paid for doing absolutely sweet fuck all.

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      June 20, 2008 5:35 AM

      welcome to the world of the inherited people aka Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, and all those over fuck bucket people who don't know how to work for there money.

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