Fresh Prince’s Alfonso Ribeiro suing Epic over Fortnite Carlton Dance (UPDATE)

A number of rappers and other artists have come forward to sue Epic over Fortnite's use of dances without appropriate compensation or credit. The latest to join the list is Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. There's no doubt the in-game 'Fresh' dance comes straight from Alfonso's Carlton character. It'll be interesting to see how this, and all the other dance-related lawsuits wrap up.

Thanks to Sligeach_eire for the heads up!

UPDATE - Mr. Ribeiro is also suing 2K over the use of the Carlton Dance in the NBA 2K series.

Comments

gloop Knight

Mon Dec 17 18 05:27pm

Everyone wants a piece of that fortnite pie.

Did they really not credit where these dances originated? Seems like a missed opportunity. It would have really helped with everything being called a "fortnite dance."

princess_eevee9 Guru

Mon Dec 17 18 06:25pm

Rating: 1

The game stole all the moves and then renamed them to get money.

neverunplaying Guru

Mon Dec 17 18 05:32pm

Rating: 2

Technically since Ribeiro did it in a scripted show as directed, wouldn’t that be the show owner’s (this case NBC) property?

shadowbuster Knight

Mon Dec 17 18 09:08pm

Is Michael Buffer's voice and famous catchphrase property of HBO every time he does it on a boxing fight?
Hint: No

chesu Veteran

Mon Dec 17 18 05:33pm

I can understand wanting to include well-known dance moves in your game, that's fine... but don't they know that dances that have been filmed are automatically the copyrighted material of the dancer?

thedestructo94 Virtuoso

Mon Dec 17 18 06:13pm

I mean I dont blame him. Those Fresh prince royalties must have run low a LONG time ago. Not like he's done anything else lately. I assume he needs the money.

princess_eevee9 Guru

Mon Dec 17 18 06:28pm

He was on Dancing With the Stars and either won or got in the Finals. He's living large & fat off-a royalties. When he wants to be relevant he makes waves, otherwise he keeps to himself.

pc Ace

Mon Dec 17 18 10:25pm

He's been the host of America's Funniest Home Videos for several years.

I mean, it's not A-list blockbuster movie work, but I bet he still makes bank doing that.

enthropy Champion

Mon Dec 17 18 06:32pm

Well at least he didn't try with the racist-card. I'll give him that much!

But I guess dances can be copyrighted somehow, not?

sligeach_eire Virtuoso

Mon Dec 17 18 06:49pm

Rating: 1 (Updated 1 time)

Some of you may be thinking, he didn't invent "The Carlton". Well it might surprise you to know a little about Alfonso's younger years.

Alfonso Ribeiro Breakin' and Poppin'

Michael Jackson SUPER RARE!!!

https://wherearetheynowblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/carlton-banks/

grcpan Knight

Mon Dec 17 18 07:30pm

(Updated 1 time)

You wouldn't steal a dance move

faiwaka Fledgling

Mon Dec 17 18 08:15pm

You cannot sue for a dance move. They will lose in court for sure. Lawyers compare it to the tradmarking of individual words. You can do it for an entire dance but not single moves