Kotaku’s action figure coverage generally extends to “here is a cool action figure”. So excuse this brief interruption to bring you actual news involving an action figure.
So, this is Bastian Schweinsteiger. He’s one of the world’s best footballers. Captain of the German national team (the current World Champions) and newly-signed midfielder for Manchester United.
This is a new action figure from DiD, a Hong Kong-based company that specialises in historical toys and collectibles. It’s a Nazi soldier. It looks a lot like Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Its name is...also Bastian.
Oh dear.
A representative of DiD has told German news outlet Bild that “the resemblance is purely coincidental”. Right. Sure. Even down to the name. Not content with fibbing, he then goes and makes things even worse, adding (via The Guardian) “The figure is based on a typical German. We believe that all Germans look like that.”
Schweinsteiger’s lawyers are reportedly seeking to have sales of the figure halted.
Ulrich Amelung, a media lawyer, told explains his case: “This is a clear violation of Schweinsteiger’s personal rights. Every person has the right to their own image. Furthermore the depiction of a swastika-wearing Wehrmacht soldier constitutes gross defamation and offence.”