Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Activision responds to criticism over Itaewon footage in Call of Duty
Company response
Activision confirmed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 used real-world news footage and stated that it did not intend to reference or trivialise the Itaewon disaster or another real-world tragedy. The company had not yet responded to demands to remove the footage.
Stated objective. Activision said the footage was used to establish the game's fictional narrative.
Company response
Clarification — Activision
However, added that it had "not intended to reference or trivialise the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape or form".
Clarification — Activision
The game's opening cinematic utilizes some real world news coverage to establish the game's fictional narrative,
Source excerpt
The company confirmed that it used the real-life footage in the game.
However, the BBC reported that the company has not yet responded to the demands to remove the footage from the game.
However, added that it had "not intended to reference or trivialise the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape or form".
2022
Activision sues EngineOwning over game cheats
Lawsuit filed
Activision Publishing filed a lawsuit against EngineOwning, which it says distributes and sells software enabling cheating in Activision-published games. Activision alleges the conduct is unlawful and seeks to stop it; the claims are allegations in the lawsuit.
Stated objective. Activision seeks to put a stop to the alleged conduct.
Source excerpt
“By this lawsuit, Activision seeks to put a stop to unlawful conduct by an organization that is distributing and selling for profit numerous malicious software products designed to enable members of the public to gain unfair competitive advantages (i.e., to cheat) in the COD Games,” Activision said.
Activision Publishing, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against EngineOwning, a company that advertises cheats for Call of Duty games and other popular online shooters, and is seeking to shut down software that allows people to cheat in any Activision-published game.
2021
Workplace discrimination and harassment allegations involving Activision Blizzard
California's civil-rights agency filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment at Activision Blizzard. Subsequent regulatory and employment-related proceedings also addressed workplace conduct and corporate culture. The allegations concerned the parent group and its workplaces rather than a specific Activision game.
2021
Jury finds in Activision's favor in Booker T lawsuit
Ruling
In a lawsuit brought by Booker T, a jury found in Activision's favor. Booker T alleged that Activision used his G.I. Bro character as the inspiration for the character Prophet in the game Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. The jury's finding resolved the case in Activision's favor. No further details on the proceedings, the parties' arguments, or any relief sought are included in the available information.
A jury found in Activision's favor in Booker T's lawsuit alleging that Activision used his G.I. Bro character as the inspiration for Prophet in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
Source excerpt
Sportico reports that the WWE Hall of Famer’s lawsuit over the character ended with the jury finding in Activision’s favor.
Booker sued Activision in February of 2019, alleging that the company ripped off the comic book version of his G.I. Bro character as the inspiration for Prophet.
2021
Activision disputes report and describes workplace measures
Company response
In November 2021, Activision responded to a Wall Street Journal report, stating that the article presented an inaccurate and misleading view of the company and Bobby Kotick. The company said that instances of sexual misconduct brought to Kotick's attention were acted upon, and it cited a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct. The statement was part of Activision's public response to the report, in which it disputed the article's characterization and described its workplace measures.
Activision said the Wall Street Journal’s report presented an inaccurate and misleading view of the company and Bobby Kotick. It said instances of sexual misconduct brought to Kotick’s attention were acted upon and cited a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct.
Company response
Denial — Activision
In a public statement, Activision said the Journal’s report “presents an inaccurate and misleading view” of the company and Kotick.
Source excerpt
In a public statement, Activision said the Journal’s report “presents an inaccurate and misleading view” of the company and Kotick. “Instances of sexual misconduct that were brought to his attention were acted upon.” Activision said the report “ignores important changes” underway at the company, including a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct.
2021
Activision apologizes and removes content from Call of Duty: Vanguard
Company response
Activision apologized for content in Call of Duty: Vanguard that it described as insensitive to the Muslim community and stated that the content had been removed from the game. The company said it was taking internal steps to prevent similar occurrences. The event was reported on November 11, 2021.
Activision apologized for content it said was insensitive to the Muslim community and said it had been removed from Call of Duty: Vanguard. The company said it was taking internal steps to prevent similar occurrences.
Stated objective. to prevent such occurrences in the future
Company response
Apology — Activision
We deeply apologize.
Remediation — Activision
there was insensitive content to the Muslim community mistakenly included last week, and has since been removed from the game.
Investigation — Activision
We are taking immediate steps internally to address the situation to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Source excerpt
“We deeply apologize. We are taking immediate steps internally to address the situation to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Activision didn’t describe the pages in its apology but did acknowledge “there was insensitive content to the Muslim community mistakenly included last week, and has since been removed from the game.”
2021
Demonstrators protest Activision Blizzard's response to harassment lawsuit
Public backlash
More than 100 people demonstrated outside an Activision Blizzard office in Southern California in support of a sexual harassment lawsuit and to protest the company's response. Fans also sought to organize a boycott of Activision games in solidarity with employees.
Source excerpt
Last week, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Activision, detailing accusations of sexual harassment and assault, as well as a culture in which women faced unequal pay and retaliation.
Elsewhere online, fans sought to organize a boycott of Activision games in solidarity with employees.
More than 100 people showed up Wednesday morning outside an office of Activision Blizzard Inc. in Southern California to demonstrate their support of a sexual harassment lawsuit and to protest the video game maker’s insufficient response.
2021
Activision files Warzone trademark complaint
Lawsuit filed
Activision filed a formal complaint against Warzone.com over use of the “Warzone” title and trademark rights. Activision said it sought a court judgment on the parties’ rights. An Activision Blizzard spokesperson denied infringement and characterized the opposing claims as baseless.
Company response
Denial — Activision Blizzard
We do not infringe his intellectual property.
Source excerpt
Activision filed a formal complaint against the indie developer behind the browser-based strategy game Warzone. The complaint is over the usage and trademark rights for the “Warzone” title, which the two companies have been in dispute about for the last several months.
We do not infringe his intellectual property.
2021
Activision files trademark lawsuit against Warzone.com
Lawsuit filed
Activision Publishing filed a lawsuit against Warzone.com LLC concerning the use of the marks “Warzone” and “Call of Duty Warzone.” Activision seeks, among other things, a judgment that its use does not infringe Warzone.com’s alleged trademark rights.
Source excerpt
In its complaint, Activision seeks a judgment declaring that, among other things, (1) Warzone.com does not possess exclusive trademark rights to the term “Warzone”; (2) Activision use of “Warzone” or “Call of Duty Warzone” marks do not infringe and has not infringed on Warzone.com’s alleged trademark;
On April 8, 2021, Activision Publishing, Inc. filed a lawsuit against Warzone.com LLC regarding the use of the word marks “Warzone” and “Call of Duty Warzone.”
2021
Activision sued over alleged character copyright infringement
Lawsuit filed
A lawsuit filed by photographer Haugen alleges that Activision copied elements of his Cade Janus character and photographs in creating the Mara character. The article reports allegations, not a determination of infringement.
Source excerpt
The suit goes on to claim that Activision then hired Zedra and requested that she acquire the same clothing and gear used in the Janus photo series.
Activision is the latest massive company being hit with accusations of a stolen character. A recently filed lawsuit alleges that
So far, Activision has not commented on the matter.
2020
Court dismisses AM General’s Humvee lawsuit against Activision
Ruling
A U.S. district court dismissed AM General’s lawsuit against Activision concerning the use of Humvee vehicles in Call of Duty. The court ruled that the game’s use of the vehicles did not infringe AM General’s rights. The decision allowed the Humvee vehicles to remain in the game. The event was reported on April 3, 2020.
Source excerpt
According to a report by Motor Trend, AM General filed a lawsuit against the creator of Call of Duty because the game had been prominently displaying the Humvee without their permission.
The conflict between the two companies has now ended as Activision recently won the lawsuit by American Motors General Corporation against them.
The suit was dismissed in favor of Activision since there was no infringement done by the company by featuring Humvees.
2020
Court dismisses AM General lawsuit against Activision
Ruling
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by AM General against Activision concerning the depiction of Humvees in the Call of Duty games. The court agreed with the position that including the vehicles furthered the games' artistic realism. The ruling ended this particular legal challenge over the use of the vehicle designs in the games.
A federal judge dismissed AM General’s lawsuit against Activision over Call of Duty’s depiction of Humvees, agreeing that the vehicles’ inclusion furthered the games’ artistic realism.
Source excerpt
In 2017, Activision was sued by AM General over . In its defense, the publisher said the vehicle’s inclusion was a “first amendment” issue, a point a federal judge agreed with today while dismissing GM’s case.Call of Duty’s accurate depiction of Humvees
2020
Activision sues Netflix over former CFO appointment
Lawsuit filed
Activision filed a lawsuit against Netflix concerning Netflix's appointment of Spencer Neumann, Activision's former chief financial officer. According to the reported claims, the suit alleges intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The event was reported on December 6, 2020.
Activision is suing Netflix over the appointment of its former chief financial officer, Spencer Neumann. The suit alleges intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty.
Source excerpt
The suit alleges Netflix poached Neumann after he served just 18 months at the gaming giant and, according to Hollywood Reporter, is suing for "intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty".