Rudy Giuliani Took Down a Former Dictator's Lawsuit Against 'Call of Duty'

As we last reported, former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was suing from imprisonment in Panama, a country he ruled over from 1983 to 1989, because Call of Duty: Black Ops II featured his likeness getting hit in the face with a rifle.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani, of all people, was leading the charge—on behalf of Saturday Night Live, historical fiction, and perhaps free speech itself—to get the lawsuit dismissed. Well, the jury's out: Giuliani and Activision, the game publisher behind Call of Duty, have emerged victorious.

"Judge William H. Fahey of the Los Angeles Superior Court today ruled in favor of Activision Blizzard, Inc. with respect to its motion to strike former dictator and convicted murderer Manuel Noriega's frivolous lawsuit against the creators of the popular Call of Duty® franchise," a press release trumpeted.

Noriega didn't give permission for his likeness to be used in the game, and he sure hadn't seen a single red cent from Activision. So he sued Activision for "damages for unjust enrichment, unfair business practices, and violation of common-law publicity rights."

Activision hired the lawfirm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP and ended up getting Giuliani to step back into the courtroom on October 16 to get the lawsuit dismissed.

"This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we're gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn't win," Giuliani was quoted as saying. "This is not just a win for the makers of Call of Duty, but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world."

In addition to works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries, legalistic and private synergy also won, as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare comes out next week. As it apparently takes place in the future, it's unlikely that you'll get to hit Noriega or any other known one-time CIA-backed Latin American dictators. Kevin Spacey has given his vocal talents to the game, so maybe you'll get to pistolwhip K-Pax.