Strip clubs need to brand too

Top story today on CBS in LA: Judge rules that GTA: San Andreas did not infringe on an LA strip club's trademark by featuring a look-alike club in the game. (No joke, it's categorized under top story. God, I hate local news.)

The LA PlayPen Gentleman's Club (the real club) has their panties in a bunch (they really are in a bunch, over there, in that box at the corner) as they lose out on this brand infringement case. The in-game strip club is named Pig Pen, and frankly that's way too close for comfort for the owners of PlayPen. In addition, the game designers apparently fashioned the interior of the game club to be quite similar as well. Makes you wonder what kind of texture-hunting trip that must have been:

"Dave, get a shot of this floor, high res please"

"Dave, did you get the matted velvet there, that's going to look good."

Regardless, the judge cites "artistic" interpretation and rules in favor of Rockstar. It's a damn shame too, because I'm sure the club has suffered serious losses due to the in-game clone. I, for one, have been looking forward to going in there and busting a cap on some asses, maybe slap a few ho's and sucker punch a bouncer or two. Unfortunately, the PlayPen establishment is not that kind of place so don't even think about it. It's a classy joint that I'm sure has a great 3PM buffet, right before the balloon artist stops by for the kids. So don't even try to think "GTA" in a respectable joint like this k?