Activision Is Being Sued By Pro Players For ‘Monopolistic’ Call Of Duty Tournament Policies

Activision Blizzard is one again in the legal limelight for allegedly requiring Call of Duty esports players to submit to monopolistic tournament terms and policies.

Professional esports players Hector “H3CZ” Rodriguez and Seth “Scump” Abner recently filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that it introduced exploitative policies when it exclusively took over all Call of Duty esports tournaments. The new policies reportedly prohibited players from accepting third-party sponsorships and endorsements which accounted for the majority of their profits.

Rodriguez also claims that his partnership with Activision put him at the mercy of billionaire investors who asked for a 92.5% share in his esports company and a portion of his investor sponsorship in addition to the steep tournament entry fees. He also claims that Activision forcibly took over the CoD esports league and that it forced the Call of Duty trademark on all professional esports teams, owners, and players in an effort to control the “downstream” pro gaming scene.

An Activision spokesperson commented on the lawsuit, saying that it was “meritless” and that the pair only filed suit because the company wouldn’t give in to their monetary demands. “We are disappointed that these members of the esports community would bring this suit which is disruptive to team owners, players, fans, and partners who have invested so much time and energy into the Call of Duty League’s success,” they said.

Rodriguez and Abner are asking the court for over $680 million in compensatory damages. We’ll be sure to keep you abreast of this newly unfolding legal drama.