Pop Star Justin Bieber Sued by Mobile Game Developer

At the beginning of February, developer RC3 released an Android game inspired by pop star Justin Beaver entitles Joustin’ Beaver. The game plays off of Bieber’s real life celebrity woes and resembles his hairstyle and fashion sense in the form of a beaver. Bieber’s people responded to the game with a cease and desist order under the claims, not that they have a problem with Bieber being made fun of through the app, but that consumers may see Bieber’s trademarked likeness and feel the product is an officially licensed product from Bieber himself.

RC3 responded that there is no doubt that Joustin’ Beaver is inspired by the pop sensation. It is undeniable for them to even try to do so. They do contend however that the game is created as an act of parody which is legally protected by first amendment rights. RC3 filed suit against Bieber to protect their game (and most likely garner lots of press that the game would have never originally received to further push sales of it).

“In an effort to comment upon the Defendant’s life, the Plaintiff, RC3 developed the aforementioned App entitled ‘Joustin’ Beaver.’ The App, a video game, is a parody of the commercial success of the Defendant and any celebrity. The parody app portrays a beaver floating on a log down a river. The beaver presents with bangs, a lance, and a purple sweater. The beaver knocks ‘Phot-Hogs’ that are attempting to take his photograph into the river with his lance. The beaver also signs ‘Otter-graphs.’ The beaver also must dodge the ‘whirlpool of success,’ which will lead beaver out of control, while navigating the river.”

Joustin’ Beaver is currently on sale on the Android marketplace for .99.

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