JIM BROWN - Don't Play That !

After years of barging over husky defenders on the gridiron, ex-Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown is attempting to tackle two serious video game heavyweights in court.

According to Bloomberg, Brown has filed suit against Sony Computer Entertainment America and Electronic Arts over using his likeness in the popular Madden football series. He seeks a court order preventing either company from continuing to use his likeness in the franchise as well as damages stemming from trademark violation.


At issue is the starting running back on Madden's "All Browns Team." The character is African-American and bears the same jersey number Brown made famous -- number 32. In the suit, Brown claims that he "never signed away any rights that would allow his likeness to be used."

He also mentions that unlike today's players, he was not given the option to negotiate terms during his NFL heyday.

"The NFL had league wide policy that players shall have no lawyers or agents when negotiating compensation," he said in the complaint. "Video games were not invented yet and no union to obtain rights from existed.''

EA and Sony have yet to comment on the matter.

VINCE YOUNG'S "MADDEN CURSE" COUNTDOWN

REDWOOD CITY , Calif. , - April 18, 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that the NFL's 2006 Rookie of the Year Vince Young will appear on the cover of Madden NFL 08 , the latest iteration of the EA SPORTS™ best-selling football franchise with the official video game license of the NFL and its players. The Tennessee Titans quarterback's appearance on the cover of Madden NFL 08 makes him the youngest NFL star to grace the cover. Last year's Madden NFL 07 sold over 7 million copies and was the number one selling game in North America in 2006*. Madden NFL 08 will be available for purchase beginning August 14.

“It is truly an honor for me to be on the cover of Madden NFL 08 , every NFL player dreams of being on the cover,” said Young. “After being named Rookie of the Year and going to the Pro Bowl my first season – this is a perfect way to start my second season in the NFL.”

As the first rookie quarterback to go to a NFL Pro Bowl, Vince Young has already emerged as one of the most exciting athletes in the NFL. The 2006 NFL Rookie of the Year was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and started in 13 games for the Titans. Young ranked second on the team with 552 rushing yards and tied a team high with seven touchdowns. The Houston native also became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to exceed 500 rushing yards.

Coming into its 18 th year and with more than 60 million copies sold and having generated over $2 billion in retail sales, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as one of the most popular videogame franchises of all time. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon, Madden NFL 08 will be available in August on the Xbox 360™ and Xbox® videogame and entertainment systems, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, Wii™, PC, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system. For more information check out www.madden08.com . CHECK OUT "DO YOU FEAR THE MADDEN CURSE" IN THE MIENFOKINGLINKS SECTION !