It seems that Grand Theft Auto can't catch a break when it comes to being in the limelight. The Chicago Transit Authority allegedly forcefully took down an ad campaign for GTA IV. In retaliation, GTA publisher Take Two is suing the CTA claiming that they are infringing on its first amendment rights and is in breach of its contractual obligations by refusing to run the campaign. Take Two has stated that they would like the ad campaign reinstated and would like to be financially compensated to the tune of $300,000. Take Two and the CTA had originally agreed the ad campaign would run in their transit system for six weeks between April and June.

The advertisements were removed after the local Fox television station ran a segment questioning the ad after a recent crime wave had hit the city. This has led people to speculate that Fox had pressured the CTA to remove the ads all together. This would be different if it were the first time GTA IV had been blamed for crime and violence, but unfortunately, during the game's launch, various advocacy groups picketed the game for its glamorization of crime and flagrant violence.

In 2004, the state of Illinois enacted a law that made it illegal to sell M-rated games to minors and was punishable by up to a year in jail. This law was later recalled and deemed unconstitutional.

Source: Reuters