2 former basketball players sue ‘Fortnite’ makers over dance

The Associated Press

5 years ago

Maryland guard Jaylen Brantley walks on the court in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota, in College Park, Md. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Maryland guard Jared Nickens walks on the court in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State in College Park, Md. on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

GREENBELT, Md. — Two former University of Maryland men’s basketball players are suing the makers of “Fortnite,” claiming the video game’s creators misappropriated a dance they popularized online.

The federal lawsuit, filed Monday in Maryland, accuses North Carolina-based Epic Games Inc. of unfairly profiting from the “Running Man Challenge” dance that Jared Nickens and Jaylen Brantley performed in social media videos and on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show in 2016.

The suit says the “Running Man” dance that “Fortnite” players can purchase for their characters is identical to the dance that Nickens and Brantley created.

Other artists, including Brooklyn-based rapper 2 Milly and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Alfonso Ribeiro, also have sued Epic Games over other dances depicted in the game.

The company didn’t immediately respond Tuesday to an email seeking comment.