Take-Two Takes on Chicago Transit Authority

GTA IV publisher Take-Two has brought the CTA to court for cutting a six-week advertising deal short due to public pressure, violating a contract worth $300,000.

When it comes to Grand Theft Auto, Chicago’s Transit Authority just can’t seem to make anybody happy. After accepting ads for GTA IV in April and plastering them all over the transit system, news reports criticized the CTA for advertising the violent game following crimes in Chicago. Bowing to public pressure, the Authority yanked the ads, a move GTA publisher Take-Two is now bringing the CTA to court over.

According to Reuters, Take-Two filed a suit in Manhattan federal court for breaking its advertising contract and violating its right to free speech.  The company claims it paid $300,000 for six weeks worth of ads running from April 22 all the way through June, but that the CTA cut the campaign short within days. It will seek to have the ads reinstated, as well as monetary damages for the undelivered advertising it paid for.

“Take-Two GTA IV advertisements promote an entirely lawful, mainstream entertainment product enjoyed by millions,” Take-Two said in the complaint, according to the Chicago Tribune.

More legal trouble may also be brewing down south, where GamePolitics reports that Miami’s transit system has pulled the same maneuver, pulling GTAV IV ads from busses on Friday.