Godfather author's estate sues over videogame revenue

The estate of author Mario Puzo has filed suit against Paramount Pictures, claiming the studio owes it at least USD 1 million in revenues from videogames based on The Godfather.

A Hollywood Reporter article says that the lawsuit alleges Paramount breached a 1992 contract giving the studio licensing rights for any "audio-visual" elements that embody the Godfather saga or related works.

Puzo died in 1999, leaving his estate to his children. Anthony Puzo, the author's son, is representing the estate claiming that the Godfather videogame is covered under the contract.

"Despite the vast wealth Puzo created for Paramount, it has refused to pay his children their agreed share of the revenue from that audio-visual product," the lawsuit states.

Electronic Arts published videogames based upon The Godfather in 2006 and is developing a sequel.