BOARD GAMES Hasbro files lawsuit to stop maker of 'Ghettopoly'

Stores have pulled the game from its shelves.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Hasbro Inc., has filed a federal lawsuit against the maker of a board game called "Ghettopoly," claiming the game violates Hasbro's trademarks and copyrights to the Monopoly real-estate trading game.
The lawsuit against David Chang of Saint Marys, Pa., was filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday. It alleges Ghettopoly has unlawfully mimicked Monopoly's packaging and logos, and has created "irreparable injury" to Hasbro's goodwill and reputation.
"While the genuine Monopoly game has become a wholesome and respected American icon that has been enjoyed by millions of adults and children for generations, the Ghettopoly knockoff has generated a firestorm of controversy for its highly offensive, racist content," the lawsuit states.
About the game
Ghettopoly mimics Monopoly, except game pieces include a machine gun, marijuana leaf, and a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor. The game's "playas" build crack houses on Cheap Trick Avenue instead of hotels on the Boardwalk.
Instead of the "Mr. Monopoly" logo, featuring a man with his arms outstretched, Ghettopoly features a caricature of a black man with outstretched arms, holding a submachine gun and bottle of malt liquor.
The game drew outrage from minority leaders this month, after it began selling at Urban Outfitters stores. The retail chain has pulled the game from its shelves and Yahoo! and eBay have notified Chang they would halt online sales.
Hasbro also wants distributors to recall the product.
Chang, 28, said he intends to fight the lawsuit.
Chang, who said he is Asian, said he got the idea for the game while watching "MTV Cribs," a television show that often features the homes of various rap artists.
"I came up with something that has an urban edge," he said. "I didn't make the game to offend anybody," he said, adding that the game also features references to Asian, Irish, Jewish and other cultures. "I'm not a racist."