- The Washington Times - Thursday, July 17, 2014

Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega — in jail for drug smuggling, money laundering and murder — said he has his rights and the makers of “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” have violated them by portraying him in a bad light in a video game.

He has launched a lawsuit, alleging that the game makers used his image — and particularly his famous pockmarked face — as a targeted culprit without his permission, his lawyers said, the New York Post reported. Noriega, in the game, is punched out by a CIA agent as well as beaten up by a drug lord.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Activision, alleges that Noreiga is “readily identifiable in the video game,” and he’s “portrayed as the culprit of numerous fictional heinous crimes.” In the game, he’s also referred to as “Pineapple Face,” the same nickname given him by Panamanians, because of his many acne scars, the New York Post reported.

“Black Ops II” boasted $500 million in sales on its 2012 release day and ended up being the year’s best-selling video game.

In the suit, Noriega said he has “the sole and exclusive right of publicity with regard to the use of his name and likeness, [and he’s] suffered harm, including but not limited to damage to his reputation.”

His lawyers are demanding compensation and profits, but have not affixed a number. The game, however, has sold more than 12.7 million copies around the world, the New York Post reported.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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