Italian group want flags removed from video game

August 24, 2010

Officials from the Italian city of Siena have called in their lawyers after Sony used flags associated with the city's famed Palio di Siena bare-back horse racing in the new Gran Turismo 5 video game.

While there is no problem with the Piazza del Campo track of the race being depicted in the game, the Consortium for the Protection of the Palio is objecting to the use of a series of flags signifying the 17 contrade – or districts – of the city.

The 17 flags also represent the teams that traditionally compete in the horse racing and can clearly be seen in footage of the game's karting mode. The traditional race gained international attention when it was used in the recent James Bond film, the Quantum of Solace.

The Consortium has lodged a 'diplomatic request' with Sony to remove the flags from the game. If the request is not successful then the group intends to take legal action.

"You cannot use images of contrade, in this case the flags without authorisation," a Consortium spokesman said.

"Given the relevance of the game with no history and references to our party, in particular with the use of images of flags of the contrade, we would not otherwise authorise the use."


Sony has not yet responded to the request but industry experts predict they will not want anything delaying the release of the flagship game.