Photographer sues Activision over alleged character design theft in Call of Duty
The Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
A creative professional has initiated legal action against Activision Blizzard, alleging the gaming giant unlawfully replicated his original character concept for the popular Mara Operator in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone.
Court documents filed in Texas reveal photographer and writer Clayton Haugen’s claim that Activision violated copyright laws by allegedly basing the Mara Operator on Cade Janus, a character from his 2017 short story November Renaissance. The visual parallels between the two characters are particularly notable, as both share identical facial features, hairstyles, and even similar military-inspired outfits.
What makes this case particularly compelling is the timeline: Haugen commissioned model Alex Zedra for his Cade Janus character photoshoot in 2017, while Zedra’s appearance as Mara didn’t debut until Modern Warfare’s 2019 release. This two-year gap strengthens Haugen’s position that his creation predates Activision’s version.
Evidence Presented
The lawsuit presents compelling evidence suggesting Activision may have had direct access to Haugen’s creative materials. Court filings indicate the game developer allegedly employed the exact same photography team and hairstylist who worked on the original Cade Janus photoshoot, even using identical hair extensions for Zedra’s Mara portrayal.
“Photographs from Haugen’s 2017 shoot were reportedly displayed on studio walls during Mara’s development,” the legal documents state. This suggests Activision artists might have used them as direct reference material. The level of detail in these allegations – down to specific makeup techniques and styling choices – makes this one of the more substantiated claims of character design appropriation in recent gaming history.
Legal experts note that while character design lawsuits are common in entertainment, the presence of identical creative professionals working on both projects could significantly strengthen Haugen’s case. The involvement of the same model adds another layer of complexity, as likeness rights may come into play alongside copyright claims.
Mara’s Significance in Call of Duty
Mara’s importance to the Call of Duty franchise extends beyond being just another playable Operator. She served as the centerpiece for Modern Warfare’s Season 1 marketing campaign in December 2019, appearing prominently in trailers, promotional artwork, and even special edition console bundles.
The character’s popularity was further amplified by model Alex Zedra’s substantial social media following (over 118,000 Twitter followers), which helped maintain Mara’s relevance long after her in-game debut. This extended visibility could potentially factor into damage calculations should the court rule in Haugen’s favor, as the character’s commercial success might be considered when determining any potential compensation.
As of now, Activision has remained silent regarding the allegations. The gaming community watches closely, as this case could set important precedents regarding intellectual property rights in character design, especially when real-world models are involved. Industry observers suggest similar cases may emerge if this lawsuit proves successful.
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