Mike Sigel Suing Virtual Pool 2

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
CHICAGO, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Hall of Fame Pool Player Mike Sigel filed a lawsuit today against computer game manufacturers, Interplay Entertainment Corp and Celeris, Inc., for using his name and likeness without his permission.

The complaint alleges that, without authorization or compensation, the two California-based companies developed, manufactured, and sold "Virtual Pool 2," which has capitalized on Sigel's prominence by using his name without Sigel's permission in its advertising and packaging. Sigel has won over 100 major tournaments, including six U.S. Opens and five World Championships, and is currently ranked first on the International Pool Tour.

Rest of the story is here:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20060202/DCTH06302022006-1.html
 
That is interesting.

I would expect Sigel would come out on top in this suit. Especially if they used an actual clip of Sigel giving advice.

Plus, he might generate some free press for the IPT.

Jake
 
I find it hard to believe in this day and age that Mike would not have been contacted regarding his image and "Voice" being used in the game. I'm sure there is something that we are missing regarding his involvement with the creation of the game and with Interplay.
 
moccabee said:
I find it hard to believe in this day and age that Mike would not have been contacted regarding his image and "Voice" being used in the game. I'm sure there is something that we are missing regarding his involvement with the creation of the game and with Interplay.
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It would be extreemly naive of them to use this stuff without his permission, don't know how they thought they'd get away with it!

I mean he's the IPT points leader afterall! (I'm joking ;) )
 
moccabee said:
I find it hard to believe in this day and age that Mike would not have been contacted regarding his image and "Voice" being used in the game. I'm sure there is something that we are missing regarding his involvement with the creation of the game and with Interplay.
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That is what i was thinking also. Maybe he signed some contract years ago
that give them legal use of his Image & voice, for some other use or product or promotion. Now they could be taking advantage of that.

Colin, Thank you for posting, it will be interesting to see how this play's out.:)
 
I always thought the virtual pool games were kind of cheesy, but I have friends who enjoy playing online.

I haven't seen the latest version of the game. Are there other players whose likenesses are being used as well, like maybe Jeanette Lee a/k/a "The Black Widow"? Just curious.

Colin, you do keep all of us up to date on the happenings around the world! Thanks for posting the thread. I'd give you good rep points, but I got a reminder notice saying I needed to "spread it around more" before I good-rep you again! :)

JAM
 
JAM said:
Colin, you do keep all of us up to date on the happenings around the world! Thanks for posting the thread. I'd give you good rep points, but I got a reminder notice saying I needed to "spread it around more" before I good-rep you again! :)
JAM
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HaHa, told you mate! :eek: :p :D
 
TheOne said:
HaHa, told you mate! :eek: :p :D
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I'm almost afraid to ask what the meaning is of this cryptic message to Colin, Mate. Why don't you elaborate so that we can all have a good laugh.

JAM
 
I didn't laugh at the credit card jest. It wasn't funny. Different senses of humour, I guess. So y should you laugh now, strawberry j**
 
He's only doing this now??? This game has been out for YEARS!

Just a wee thought on the matter. In the Virtual Pool series, there has always been a big name player giving tips and advice on how to play pool. In VP1, it was Lou Butera, VP2 (as we know) had Sigel and in VP3 it was Jeanette Lee. Surely, if the company got the OK from Butera and Lee to use their likenesses, image, etc, then they would have got it from Sigel!
 
haha, thanks JAM and an attachment for TheOne!

My first thought is that KT is getting ready to lauch his own pool video game and that the first step is to clean up those who are cashing in.

It probably takes more financial resource that Mike alone has to fight this case.

But hey, I don't know much about this yet...will keep you posted if I learn more.

Here's to Craig...
 

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Colin... as always, you are right on target. I thought that too. Maybe Mikey doesn't feel like he's going to win too much more money from the IPT, and needs some more? WTF? Sigel is getting crotchety!
 
Josh Palmer said:
Colin... as always, you are right on target. I thought that too. Maybe Mikey doesn't feel like he's going to win too much more money from the IPT, and needs some more? WTF? Sigel is getting crotchety!
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Cheers Josh,
Maybe Mike won't make a ton out of future IPT events from winnings, though I wouldn't be suprised if he does ok.

But I think he will be portrayed and promoted as a true historical champion of the sport and this could be very lucrative for him, just like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer and similar past champions have earned much more from the boom in golf popularity than they did during their successful playing days.

Colin
 
I helped Jeanette make the commercial for the VP3 game and met all the nice folks from the production company. In fact they donated copies of the VP3games for door prizes at our wedding reception. (We added $200 to a free-entry SD tournament, and gave away TONS of door prizes and donated things from Mike Massey, Jeanette, Allison, Gerda, Paul Potier, etc., plus a free trick shot show by Sarge Aylesworth.)

So I know it was all on the up and up and Jeanette was cool with their arrangement. Can't see why Mike is bringing this up now; he must have realized something wrong way back then. :confused:
 
rackmsuckr said:
I helped Jeanette make the commercial for the VP3 game and met all the nice folks from the production company. In fact they donated copies of the VP3games for door prizes at our wedding reception. (We added $200 to a free-entry SD tournament, and gave away TONS of door prizes and donated things from Mike Massey, Jeanette, Allison, Gerda, Paul Potier, etc., plus a free trick shot show by Sarge Aylesworth.)

So I know it was all on the up and up and Jeanette was cool with their arrangement. Can't see why Mike is bringing this up now; he must have realized something wrong way back then. :confused:
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I think it is KT who is doing it. It says in the press release to refer questions to the IPT. IT makes sense for him to do this. If they, the IPT, make Mike a household name enhancing his value they have to be sure they have full control. Old deals Mike may have made would have to be revisited. This may be a way of putting on a little pressure as well as getting the IPT into the news a little. Regardless what they say I think at sometime in the past Mike must have agreed to this, if not way back when a quick Cease and Desist Letter from any attorney would have stopped it if he really cared.
 
macguy said:
I think it is KT who is doing it. It says in the press release to refer questions to the IPT. IT makes sense for him to do this. If they, the IPT, make Mike a household name enhancing his value they have to be sure they have full control. Old deals Mike may have made would have to be revisited. This may be a way of putting on a little pressure as well as getting the IPT into the news a little. Regardless what they say I think at sometime in the past Mike must have agreed to this, if not way back when a quick Cease and Desist Letter from any attorney would have stopped it if he really cared.
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You may be right Maguy,
If Coke put my image on their can then it would be a huge free promotion for me, but if they wanted to put Tiger Woods' image on their can they'd have to pay for it.

The tide appears to be turning for Mike.
 
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Colin Colenso said:
You may be right Maguy,
If Coke put my image on their can then it would be a huge free promotion for me, but if they wanted to put Tiger Woods' image on their can they'd have to pay for it.

The tide appears to be turning for Mike.
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I'm certain Mr. Sigel must have signed some kind of deal when VP2 was published back in 1997. They had a set of specially-made training videos on the game's CD in the custom Sierra video format that could not have happened without his willing participation.

It is quite possible he realized the deal he signed was bad but never had the financial backing required to bring a lawsuit in the past. This kind of retroactive lawsuit has become quite common in the music industry, when artists realize years later how bad their original contracts were once they become rich and popular.

Other than the money if I had make a guess as to why this is happening now I'd say there's some kind of clause in the VP2 deal that prevents the IPT/KT from using Mr. Sigel for their own licensed video game.
 
AuntyDan said:
I'm certain Mr. Sigel must have signed some kind of deal when VP2 was published back in 1997. They had a set of specially-made training videos on the game's CD in the custom Sierra video format that could not have happened without his willing participation.

It is quite possible he realized the deal he signed was bad but never had the financial backing required to bring a lawsuit in the past. This kind of retroactive lawsuit has become quite common in the music industry, when artists realize years later how bad their original contracts were once they become rich and popular.

Other than the money if I had make a guess as to why this is happening now I'd say there's some kind of clause in the VP2 deal that prevents the IPT/KT from using Mr. Sigel for their own licensed video game.
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AuntyDan,

I would agree on the motives behind it quite possibly having to do with future IPT/KT licensing.

With that said, the press release states:

"The complaint alleges that, without authorization or compensation, the two California-based companies developed, manufactured, and sold "Virtual Pool 2," which has capitalized on Sigel's prominence by using his name without Sigel's permission in its advertising and packaging."

Based on what I am reading, the lawsuit has nothing to do with Sigel agreeing to be in the game (which I am sure he did) It has to do with the use of his name in the advertising and packaging of the game which I am guessing (based on the fact that they are suing) Sigel never agreed to said promotion.
 
AuntyDan said:
I'm certain Mr. Sigel must have signed some kind of deal when VP2 was published back in 1997. They had a set of specially-made training videos on the game's CD in the custom Sierra video format that could not have happened without his willing participation.

It is quite possible he realized the deal he signed was bad but never had the financial backing required to bring a lawsuit in the past. This kind of retroactive lawsuit has become quite common in the music industry, when artists realize years later how bad their original contracts were once they become rich and popular.

Other than the money if I had make a guess as to why this is happening now I'd say there's some kind of clause in the VP2 deal that prevents the IPT/KT from using Mr. Sigel for their own licensed video game.
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That is a scenario that makes sense!
 
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