Film writer Clayton Haugen claims his concept images were used as the basis for Modern Warfare’s Mara
A film writer is suing Activision Blizzard for similarities between one of his Call of Duty characters, Mara, and his own copyrighted character and images.
Clayton Haugen claims that a character he created in 2017 named “Cade Janus” and posted on his website and social media was used as the basis for Mara.
Actress and cosplayer Alex Zedra was hired by Haugen, whose Instagram posts show images of Zedra in military attire, ahead of the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
The lawsuit alleges that Call of Duty developers saw the images and used the same actress and makeup artist as the basis for Mara, a character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Haugen alleges that Activision Blizzard forced the model and makeup artist to sign nondisclosure agreements to cover up the breach.
Mara was added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as part of the first Battle Pass and has since released several in-game variations.
The full complaint lays down similarities between the character of Mara and Haugen, saying that Haugen has the right to “recover all funds from the defendants’ infringement, including all their profits attributable to their infringements, to the extent that permitted by 17 U.S.C. § 505. “
A previous lawsuit against Activision Blizzard by AM General for trademark infringement for the use of Humvees in Call of Duty games was dismissed last April.