Take-Two Interactive controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Tattoo artist’s copyright lawsuit over WWE games advances toward trial
Ruling
An Illinois federal judge ruled that a factual issue remained over tattoo artist Catherine Alexander’s claim concerning reproductions of her work in three WWE 2K games; the lawsuit will proceed to trial, where a jury will decide whether copyright infringement occurred.
Source excerpt
The lawsuit will proceed to trial and a jury will have to decide if copyright infringement occurred and how much money is owed to Alexander if that is indeed the case.
Take-Two Interactive and World Wrestling Entertainment are headed to trial after a judge ruled that they copied the work of tattoo artist Catherine Alexander on a wrestler in three "WWE 2K" games.
2019
Take-Two sues over Red Dead Redemption mod project
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy involving Take-Two Interactive, the company filed a lawsuit in a New York court against the leader of a Red Dead Redemption mod project and ten unnamed co-defendants. According to the reported filing, Take-Two alleged that the project violated its intellectual-property rights and its user licensing agreements. The event was reported on December 30, 2019. The available account identifies the defendants only as the project leader and ten unnamed co-defendants, and it does not specify further outcomes or additional allegations beyond the claimed infringement of intellectual-property rights and user licensing agreements.
Take-Two Interactive filed a lawsuit in a New York court against a mod project leader and ten unnamed co-defendants, alleging that the project violated its intellectual-property rights and user licensing agreements.
Source excerpt
Take-Two says the project violates its intellectual property rights and user licensing agreements, adding that it has "repeatedly" asked Wyckoff to cease and desist.
TorrentFreak reports that Take-Two Interactive filed a lawsuit at a New York court against a Johnathan Wyckoff and ten unnamed co-defendants.
2007
Stock-option backdating case
A later SEC investigation identified alleged backdating of stock options involving former chief executive Ryan Brant and other executives. Brant pleaded guilty to falsifying business records, paid a fine, and accepted a restriction on holding control-management roles at public companies.
2005
Accounting and distributor-transaction investigation
The SEC investigated Take-Two's historical reporting after concerns that products had been placed with distributors in transactions intended to improve quarterly revenue figures. The company restated earlier results and agreed to a civil penalty, while former executives faced separate consequences.
2005
Hot Coffee controversy
A user modification of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas unlocked a hidden sexual scene that had been included in the game's code. The controversy led to criticism from politicians and consumers, changes in ratings treatment, legal claims, and commercial repercussions for Take-Two and Rockstar. Hidden or inaccessible adult content associated with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas became available through modifications and triggered public criticism, regulatory attention, rating changes, recalls, and litigation-related consequences. The incident became a significant controversy for Rockstar Games and Take-Two over content disclosure and quality control.
Grand Theft Auto VI leak legal action
Take-Two and Rockstar pursued legal processes to identify the source of alleged Grand Theft Auto VI leaks and sought information from online platforms. The matter concerns unauthorized disclosure of unreleased game material rather than a finding of wrongdoing by Take-Two.