Ghettopoly creator's Hasbro suit is dismissed

ERIE (AP) -- The creator of the board game Ghettopoly, a spoof on Monopoly that has drawn the ire of black leaders for its portrayal of urban life, has had a suit dismissed against Hasbro Inc.
David Chang sued Hasbro Inc., the Pawtucket, R.I.-based owner of Parker Brothers, which makes Monopoly, for the right to continue selling the game.
Chang, formerly of St. Marys, had maintained that Hasbro was blocking him from selling the game. His suit followed an earlier suit by Hasbro claiming copyright infringement.
U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin ruled Friday that the Rhode Island suit takes precedence because it was filed first and because the courts in Rhode Island have jurisdiction.
Ghettopoly mimics Monopoly, except game pieces include a machine gun, a 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 after it began selling at Urban Outfitters stores. The retail chain pulled the game from its shelves.
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