Update 02/16/2019 1:00pm:
Previously, Alfonso Ribeiro made it known that he was planning on suing the creators of ‘Fortnite’ for using his likeness without permission. The game reportedly features the “Carlton Dance,” popularized by the actor during his role on Will Smith’s ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’
Now, news has surfaced noting the Copyright Office reportedly told the actor’s attorney that his copyright claims to the dance are being denied. A registration specialist who works the U.S Copyright Office said: “The combination of these three dance steps is a simple routine that is not registrable as a choreographic work."
source: TMZ
Original 12/18/2018 11:44am:
Another celebrity is building a case against ‘Fortnite’ for using their likeness without permission. Alfonso Ribeiro—also known as “Carlton” from ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ has filed a lawsuit against ‘Fortnite’ for using the popular “Carlton Dance.” Along with that, he is suing the creators of ’NBA 2K.’
According to Ribeiro, he says the company is allegedly using and selling his likeness and dance under the “Fresh” option in the game. Ribeiro noted this is an issue for him because he’s currently in the process of copyrighting the popular dance right now.
Ribeiro’s lawyer spoke to TMZ and said “It is widely recognized that Mr. Ribeiro’s likeness and intellectual property have been misappropriated by Epic Games in the most popular video game currently in the world, Fortnite. Epic has earned record profits off of downloadable content in the game, including emotes like 'Fresh.' Yet Epic has failed to compensate or even ask permission from Mr. Ribeiro for the use of his likeness and iconic intellectual property."
Source: complex.com
