540°

Kevin Butler actor settles with Sony over Bridgestone tyre ad

Sony has settled its dispute with Kevin Butler actor Jerry Lambert over is appearance in a Bridgestone tyre advert.

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mediapost.com
yewles14110d ago

"and he admitted confusion was created in the minds of some consumers who believed he was playing Kevin Butler in the Bridgestone ads."

Gee, I wonder why...

http://www.google.com/searc...

zerocrossing4110d ago

Seriously most people knew he wasn't playing Kevin Butler in the tyre ad.

Clue 1: He never once referred to himself as "Kevin Butler" like he always usually did in the Sony ads.

Clue 2: He wasn't in a Sony ad at the time, lol.

This is more to do wit brand recognition, Jerry Lamberts alter ego Kevin Butler has become so synonymous with the Sony brand, seeing him promoting any other console makes some people feel like his character is endorsing a competing product.

Root4110d ago

True but they could at least made him look a little different...it's like they didn't even try.

Different colour hair, a wig, some glasses, facial features etc....but no he looked like himself and over the years with Sony himself is basically Kevin Butler.

Nimblest-Assassin4110d ago

Sigh Im just sad we may never see kevin butler again :(

ziggurcat4110d ago

@ Root:

he kind of even had the same machismo attitude.

SilentNegotiator4110d ago

Similar attitude, similar attire, playing video game.....yeah, how could ANYONE confuse him with his other character? /s

knowyourstuff4110d ago

The issue here is that it was Lambert's LIKENESS that is associated with his character. When you see him wearing that exact same outfit, same haircut, playing videogames, the association is there.

Bridgestone went to Lambert's marketing company to create its Wii commercial, and instead of just letting others do the commercial, he's such an attention spotlight whore he couldn't bare to not be on TV. Any dumbass who runs a marketing company knows how companies write up their contracts, and knows that companies don't want you promoting competitor products. It would be as if someone stole the Geiko lizard's likeness and British accent, and called it the "Manulife lizard" to make Manulife commercials. It's just the dumbest thing you can do, and shows Kevin Lambert only has loyalty to himself, and getting yourself recognized at opportunity no matter what the cost.

jadenkorri4110d ago

im more sad not seeing kevin butler commercials, this guy was good, and was awesome at doing it.

Kevin ButIer4110d ago

A couple of PS4 ads will do the "settlement" trick

Legion4109d ago

@ Root

So every other personality must now put on a wig and hide their true features based on their previous work holding some kind of right to his likeness?

That idea is just asinine.

zerocrossing4109d ago (Edited 4109d ago )

So what most of you are saying is, Jerry Lambert is not allowed to appear in any ads endorsing products other than that of Sony because he looks like the character he plays (Kevin Butler) and that confuses you?

This is all about brand recognition, Sony is worried that people seeing Lambert in ads endorsing a competitors product will help increase the potential sales of that product, because the sheer popularity of Kevin Butler works as some kind of "seal of approval" as far as certain gamers are concerned.

I do understand why this lawsuit happened, but I still think it's pretty stupid that company's have so little faith in us, believing that we're going to think Butler is plugging the Wii now... smh.

4109d ago
+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4109d ago
trouble_bubble4110d ago (Edited 4110d ago )

Of course Lambert knows he was wrong. The way the internet blew up with 'Kevin Butler has a Wii in a Bridgestone commercial', that was all Sony needed right there. Tell the judge to hit google, see everyone using the Kevin Butler name as proof of brand confusion and bang, case closed.

Just glad they settled and can move on. No Jerry Lambert video game hocking for 2 more years as per the settlement. Admits he did it while still under a Sony contract. The fact people argued this on here made me lose brain cells from facepalming. LOL how Bridgestone said they never used Lambert in a commercial. Do they not realise people saw it and took rips and pics of it before they had a chance to pull it, lol?

ScubbaSteve4110d ago

It was pretty obvious that this would happen, I'm honestly surprised they didn't think about it in the development of the commercial. Maybe Bridgestone paid him enough that he didn't care.

nukeitall4110d ago

One thing that isn't touched upon is, the might of billion dollar companies going after you with their own legal department will break any small company.

Why do you think Bridgestone isn't settling, but a small guy like Kevin Butler (Lambert) would? Because the legal cost would probably bankrupt his company!

Legal cost is at the point where most people can't fight it without loosing in some other way despite a win. What we need is a system where the losing party pays all court costs by default. That will curtail a lot of frivolous lawsuits.

Lvl_up_gamer4110d ago

I agree but what if the loser is the one who doesn't have the money in the first place but felt his rights were still violated?

nukeitall4110d ago (Edited 4110d ago )

You have a valid point. However, the law should protect the most people, not the few.

In your case though, if the person didn't have the money there is *still* no money to get. The winner is still the victim, just like it is now because the looser can't pay up anyhow.

However, this would essentially kill lawyers that can essentially bankrupt you armed with only a postage stamp.

I also want to point out that lawsuits also has some good things, such as the attention to detail American companies will go to ensure safety that in many other modern western countries don't exist.

There just needs to be a better balance.

caseh4110d ago

Doesn't help that 99% of people don't even know his real name. EVERY article refers to him as Kevin Butler whereas they should read 'Jerry Lambert settles...'

It would be like Jake Gyllenhaal being referred to as Donnie Darko in a news article...stupid if you think about it.

Knight_Crawler4110d ago

So if Sony gets someone that looks like Jerry to play Kevin Butler, can Jerry sue Sony for using his likeness without his consent?

pixelsword4110d ago (Edited 4110d ago )

Yes, if he invented the character, no if the other actor merely plays a character he didn't invent (Kevin Butler with his own "spin" on the character) and yes if he's a personality and the character uses something that is specifically "Lambert", because it violates his right of publicity; even if it's a fictional character, if it looks and acts like Lambert when he was playing Butler violates his right of publicity, even if it's another actor or an animated character if I'm not mistaken.

So actually, if you want to split hairs:

Let's say Lambert wanted to sue Valve over Cave Johnson's likeness to Kevin Butler, but I think Lambert's too cool to do something like that, he might lose, because although Cave is similar to Kevin, Cave's voice isn't using Lambert's specific voice and the name isn't the same, plus there is no physical likeness that can be connected to CJ but in the mind of the listener. If Valve used even one actual word from Lambert they would be liable.

BUT the right of publicity extends to anything, not just a name or likeness, that evokes the identity of a famous person.

The court would have to decide if Valve used enough of Lambert's interpretation of what KB should be in CJ that would invoke Lambert's Kevin Butler for Lambert to win the case.

Now, if Cave was over a game company, or he looked like the character KB, or if the character sounded a lot like Lambert's rendition of KB, or if he used enough quips similar to KB to invoke Lambert's image, Valve would be liable because it violates Lambert's right of publicity.

See Wendt v. Host International and White v. Samsung Electronics for examples.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4109d ago
Root4110d ago

So will he be back to Sony for the PS4 marketing

I say bring him back and make an advert taking the mic out of all this.....laugh it off

NeverEnding19894110d ago

I sued a guy after he causes an accident. We ended up settling out of court. Do you really think me and him would ever be friends?

Lambert is done with SONY. Forever.

Ron_Danger4110d ago

Thank goodness! Now I can finally get some good sleep tonight.

Unless, of course, there's a "Kevin Butler is Doomed" article on the horizon...

jujubee884110d ago

Anyone got any "tire" puns?

ItsTrue4110d ago

Oh wheely? I think they're still funny.

UnSelf4110d ago

^^^^^ that joke must've took a lot of willpower

Riderz13374110d ago

Thank god this Sony Vs. Bridgestone law suit is over. I was getting TIRED from reading all the articles about it. HAHAH-yeah I know it's not good what do you want from me.

xXBlondieVanHarlowXx4110d ago

I stayed up till 4am, i got nothing (,_, )

Side note: I bought 6 bridgestone tires after seeing that ad. That Kevin Butler is good. He got me :(

Pillville4110d ago

I guess Jerry Lambert is not having a GOOD YEAR.

dragon_rocks4110d ago (Edited 4110d ago )

@jujubee88:

They are all retired.

miyamoto4110d ago (Edited 4110d ago )

Its a Good Year now that Jery Lambert TIRED to settle this once and for all.

Come back VP Kevin Butler. We miss you.

LarVanian4110d ago

I'm 'rolling' on the floor laughing

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4110d ago
4110d ago
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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
ChasterMies15d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken15d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga15d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken14d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6414d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long14d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197214d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
DivineHand12514d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91314d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer14d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91314d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit14d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
Christopher15d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6914d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit14d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher15d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken15d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197214d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2314d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218314d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder15d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts14d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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80°

Sony May Soon Let You Decide How Much NPCs Talk In Games

Sony has patented to add multiple dialogue modes to let players switch between how many conversations with NPCs they want in the game.

blackblades21d ago

Sony is like the only ones outta the 3 that has atuff like like this pop up changing thing in ways.

just_looken21d ago

Sony in the past has always been first at bat with new ideas/tech but in the end never fully use it or just toss it away.

blackblades20d ago

I think they did use some but yeah most usually never happened but at least they thought about it. Sony seeks things like this and other, Nintendo seek different ways of playing going by there different controler designs and console designs.

just_looken20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

some of the other stuff sony want's/owns never used
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://www.eurogamer.net/s...
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03...
https://decrypt.co/114754/s...

monitor/adjust game difficultly as you play
https://www.techradar.com/g...

Sony nfts
https://www.theblock.co/pos...

Pay ai to play the game for you
https://thebusinessofesport...

Oh all the above last 12 months

I just imagine a evil scientist with test subjects when it comes down to sony recent patent reports.

Kaii20d ago

Will we get dialogue options that won't spoil puzzles in a matter of seconds? :p

280°

Judge rules in PlayStation's favour in $500m patent infringement lawsuit

Genuine Enabling Technology was seeking damages, claiming the tech allowing PlayStation consoles and controllers to communicate infringes its rights.

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
S2Killinit22d ago

Big victory for Sony. And a long time coming.

DarXyde22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Crazy to think the savings from this lawsuit allows them to develop one AAA game.

Make it Bloodborne 2, please and thank you.

22d ago
Profchaos22d ago

Sounds like patent trolling they tried the same thing against Nintendo with the same pattern.

Motion and control input traversing over higher and lower frequencies seperate from each other allowing the controller to do both

Pyrofire9522d ago

Patents suck. Most of them are complete garbage.

Knightofelemia22d ago

So to recoup the money Genuine is going to take on Nintendo or Microsoft next. I hate patent lawyers they are some of the worst bottom feeders out there.

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