EA on $1 billion lawsuit 'meteor hit wou

A California District Court judge has denied EA's motion to dismiss a potentially costly class action lawsuit over player likenesses. The case in question was brought against the publisher and sports association NCAA two years ago by former Nebraska and Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller and ex-UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon, who allege EA unlawfully used athletes' likenesses in its games without their consent.According to USA today, based on the potential number of athletes that could be attached to the lawsuit, were EA to lose it would be hit with $334.5 million in damages. However, the Indiana publicity rights statute says the award could be trebled if EA's violation was "knowing, wilful or intentional".EA's not stressing about the case though, with spokesperson Jeff Brown offering the following statement: "We could lose billions more if a giant meteor hits the earth. We're not planning for either outcome."Last year, approximately 6,000 retired NFL players brought a lawsuit against EA over the "unlawful" use of their likenesses in Madden NFL 09's historic teams. Tom Ivan