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Alfonso Ribeiro Sues 'Fortnite' for Use of 'Carlton Dance' From 'Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air'

Alfonso Ribeiro files a lawsuit to Epic Games for stealing the 'Carlton Dance.'

By Michael ReynosoPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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The Washington Times

Breaking News!

Alfonso Ribeiro, who is famously known for his signature “Carlton Dance,” is suing Epic Games for using his signature "Carlton Dance."

I think he’s got a case.

This is a new lawsuit that was filed against Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite. They are being sued by Alfonso Ribeiro from the most beloved family TV show of all-time, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. Ribeiro is suing Fortnite for copying his “Carlton Dance.”

Let’s get right to this story!

Here is a legit source from Deadline Hollywood regarding the lawsuit situation.

The source description reads as follows:

“Alfonso Ribeiro’s “Carlton Dance” from the The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air has reached legendary status since he first began joyfully shining those arms and movin’ those legs to Tom Jones classic song, “It’s Not Unusual.” Ribeiro filed a lawsuit against Epic Games’ Fortnite Battle Royale for copying the Carlton Dance. The suit claims that Epic have “capitalized on Alfonso Ribeiro’s celebrity and popularity by selling The Dance as an in-game purchase in Fortnite under the name ‘Fresh,’ which players can buy to customize their avatars for use in the game.”

In Fortnite, you are able to buy celebration dances and the “Carlton Dance” is one of things you can buy for real money. This celebration dance is called “Fresh” and that is a reference to the show Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

Now, Fortnite has been sued, or is in the process of being sued, for some other dances as well. I think this particular “Carlton Dance” is different compared to the others dances.

Let me explain why.

You can’t copyright a dance move. What you can do is copyright choreography for a dance. Those are very different things. A dance move is just one move or maybe two moves together that makes one move.

Choreography is many moves strung together in a certain sequence. That is what we have here with this “Carlton Dance.”

Here is a short clip from Complex on Twitter of a Fortnite character executing the “Carlton Dance.”

So you’ve got the big swinging of the arms followed by the moving away, side-to-side moves. This dance is very distinctive. It is a sequence of dance moves. That is why I think this qualifies as a choreography. I believe that the Fortnite character will probably be successful in his suit.

Now that is different from some of the other things that have come up with Fortnite. For example, the “Milly Rock.” This dance was used by a rapper named 2 Milly.

Here is a short clip of a Fortnite character doing the “Milly Rock” dance.

What makes the “Milly Rock” dance different, which Fortnite sold under the name “Swipe It,” it’s just one simple move. The arms are moving back and forth This is basically one move, to the right to the left, and to the left to the right.

I don’t think this move qualifies as a choreography as far as I’m concerned. Another example of this could be the “Shoot Dance.” This move was popularized BlocBoy JB.

Now, Fortnite sells the “Shoot Dance” under the name “Hype.”

Here is a short clip of a Fortnite character doing the “Shoot Dance.”

You’ve all done this move countless times. I know I have. This move is the one where you dance up and down. Then you throw your arm back and forth while you kick your leg out.

Again, that is just one simple move.

I don’t this the “Shoot Dance” qualifies as a choreography. The “Carlton Dance” does have more moves than those moves mentioned earlier.

However, I think both “Milly Rock” and “Shoot Dance” are the main moves in the dance. Anyone that sees it knows exactly where it came from. This is a good case. I think the Fortnite character will be successful if this goes forward.

Peace Out!

I don’t think that “Milly Rock” will be successful in his suit because it’s just one move. That is just my opinion. Nevertheless, Epic Games should’ve known better than to copy a licensed dance move from a famous celebrity. Gamers should really consider not playing Fortnite.

Epic Games should also ask for permission before using any dance moves in the near future.

There you have it, folks!

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post!

Thank you all for reading!

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Until next time, my friends! ^_^

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About the Creator

Michael Reynoso

The Slam Dunk Effect is a place where I write about trailer and movie reviews, along with entertainment where readers come to read.

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