Fresh Prince actor sues Fortnite for use of 'iconic' Carlton dance

Alfonso Ribeiro wants to stop the makers of Fortnite and NBA 2K from using the dance he first performed on the 1990s sitcom

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro is suing the creators of Fortnite and NBA 2K for using his famous dance on the popular video games.

In separate lawsuits filed on Monday in federal court, Ribeiro alleges that Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, and 2K Sports-creator Take-Two Interactive used his dance, dubbed The Carlton Dance, without permission or credit.

Ribeiro’s dance was popularized through his character, Carlton Banks, on the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Ribeiro says the video game makers used his dance he first performed on a 1991 Fresh Prince episode. He is asking for a judge’s order to stop both games from using his moves.

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Ribeiro says he is currently in the process of copyrighting the dance.

“It is widely recognized that Mr Ribeiro’s likeness and intellectual property have been misappropriated by Epic Games in the most popular video game currently in the world, Fortnite,’” David L Hecht, a partner at Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht LLP, told Variety in a statement.

“Epic has earned record profits off of downloadable content in the game, including emotes like ‘Fresh.’ Yet Epic has failed to compensate or even ask permission from Mr Ribeiro for the use of his likeness and iconic intellectual property.”

Epic Games and Take Two spokesmen did not respond to requests for comment.

Several other stars have also condemned Fortnite for allegedly stealing their moves.

The rapper 2 Milly has also sued Epic Games, saying his dance The Milly Rock was lifted for the game.

Chance the Rapper has criticized the game for leaving out songs associated with certain dances so that artists could share in the game’s success.

In March, Donald Faison, who played Turk on the TV show Scrubs, tweeted: “Dear fortnite … I’m flattered? Though part of me thinks I should talk to a lawyer.”