Jury Rules Against WWE In Randy Orton Tattoo Lawsuit

WWE will have to pay damages to a tattoo artist who filed a lawsuit against the company and other organisations. 

Back in April 2018, tattoo artist Catherine Alexander brought a lawsuit against WWE, Take-Two Interactive, 2K Games, 2K Sports, Visual Concepts, and Yuke's in which she alleged that the tattoos on Randy Orton were her original designs that she alone owned the rights to. She sued the organisations, claiming that the companies had infringed on her copyrights and had used her designs without permission by recreating them in WWE video games. 

The case ultimately went to trial on September 26 and a jury in the US District Court Southern District of Illinois ruled in favour of Alexander on September 30 after three hours and 26 minutes of deliberation, PWInsider reported. The jury determined that Alexander was entitled to $3,750 in damages. 

A potential precedent has also been set which could allow other tattoo artists to sue for damages if their designs are included in video games. 

Randy Orton is currently out of action in WWE due to a serious back injury and there is concern over the 14-time world champion's future. Orton has been an active competitor in WWE since 2001, last wrestling in May of 2022.