Poker has made superstars out of card players. Its spawned a huge industry of multi-million dollar tournaments, books, TV shows, video games and merchandise.

But now seven pro poker players are not happy. They are suing WPT Enterprises for using their likeness and controlling their access to play in tv tournaments. The players include world series champions such as Joseph Hachem and Greg Raymer as well as poker names such as Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer.

The issue at hand is that the WPT makes the players waive their rights to use their images and names to promote WPT products - before they're allowed to play in the tournaments. They also accuse them of colluding with casinos to prevent them from playing in tournaments unless they do waive their rights. The players argue that their likeness is then used by WPT to promote video-games and internet sites - which have nothing to do with the actual tournaments - giving them no money for what should be large endorsements.

[Howard] Lederer told The Associated Press that video clips of him playing in a WPT tournament were used in a WPT video game that competed directly with one he and his sister Annie Duke appear in, "World Championship Poker."

"All I'm asking is that they not compete against me, with me, without even offering to pay me or asking my permission," Lederer said. "People are being paid seven-figure endorsement contracts. These are rights that should not be demanded of us for nothing."

The WPT has yet to comment but did claim that they've never had any issues before

Fellow poker pro Barry Greenstein, who's not part of the suit, claims the action was essentially "dog biting the hand that fed it" - but he did sympathise with the players

Greenstein is probably right - but without the players, the WPT would have nothing but a logo to promote.

Article: Seven poker players sue WPT over use of likeness, name