Fresh Prince star Alfonso Ribeiro loses copyright claim over Carlton dance

The actor claimed the use of the dance in two separate video games were illegal

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 15 February 2019 10:06 GMT
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Alfonso Ribeiro performs the Carlton Dance

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro has been denied copyright for the dance performed by his character on the show.

The actor was suing two videogame creators over using the “Carlton” dance, but the US Copyright Office has made a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that claimed it was used illegally in NBA 2K16.

The document denying the copyright says the moves in the “Carlton” dance represent a simple routine rather than a work of choreography.

A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for 18 March. Ribeiro is also suing Epic Games over the use of the dance in popular game Fortnite.

The dance was performed by Ribeiro, in character as Carlton Banks, on the Will Smith-starring sitcom back in the 1990s.

In 2014, he won Dancing with the Stars, the US version of Strictly Come Dancing.

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