( CNN ) -- A California judge has dismissed former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega 's lawsuit against the creators of the `` Call of Duty '' video game franchise . `` This court concludes that Noriega 's right of publicity is outweighed by defendants ' First Amendment right to free expression , '' Judge William H. Fahey of the Los Angeles Superior Court said in an order Monday . Noriega -- who 's serving a prison sentence in Panama after being convicted of drug trafficking , money laundering and killing political opponents -- had argued that the 2012 video game `` Call of Duty : Black Ops II '' damaged his reputation . Creators of the video game called the lawsuit `` frivolous '' and `` absurd . '' They filed a motion to dismiss it , arguing that Noriega 's portrayal in the game is protected by the Constitution . `` This ruling is an important victory and we thank the court for protecting free speech , '' said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani , attorney for video game creator Activision Blizzard Inc. `` This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we 're gratified that in the end , a notorious criminal did n't win , '' Giuliani said in a statement Tuesday . `` This is not just a win for the makers of 'Call of Duty , ' but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world . '' Noriega , 80 , filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in July , arguing that his portrayal `` as a kidnapper , murderer and enemy of the state '' in the video game harmed his reputation . Since the company used his image and name , the lawsuit said Noriega was entitled to a share of the profits from the video game . What now ? `` At this time , we are still reviewing the court 's order and conferring with our client to determine our next steps , '' attorney William T. Gibbs , who represents Noriega , said in an email Tuesday . Manuel Noriega sues over 'Call of Duty ' video game . In 2012 , Activision Blizzard said `` Call of Duty : Black Ops II '' had netted more than $ 1 billion in sales worldwide in its first months on the market . The video game includes historical footage and several real-life characters in Cold War scenarios , including former Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North . But while North did his own voiceover for the game and acted as an adviser , Noriega said in the July lawsuit that he was n't consulted -- or compensated -- for the use of his likeness . `` Call of Duty '' video games take storylines from current headlines , and its characters are based on historical figures , from former Cuban leader Fidel Castro to David Petraeus , the retired general and former CIA director . In a statement Tuesday , Activision Blizzard described the game as historical fiction and said Noriega 's lawsuit could have had far-reaching consequences if it had n't been thrown out . `` In the unlikely event the lawsuit had been permitted to proceed , Noriega 's efforts could have provided numerous historical and political figures a veto right over their appearances in works of art , having a chilling effect on everything from movies like Forrest Gump and Zero Dark Thirty , to television programs including Saturday Night Live and Boardwalk Empire and even to popular books such as The Paris Wife , '' the statement said . In court documents , Noriega said he learned about the video game from his grandchildren , who told him that his image and likeness were being used . `` Noriega fails to provide any evidence of harm to his reputation , '' Fahey said in his ruling . `` Indeed , given the world-wide reporting of his actions in the 1980s and early 1990s , it is hard to imagine that any such evidence exists . '' For almost two decades , Noriega was a major player in a country of critical regional importance to the United States because of its location on the Panama Canal , the key strategic and economic waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on the narrow isthmus linking the Americas . Amid growing unrest in Panama , then-U.S. President George H.W . Bush ordered the invasion of the Central American nation in December 1989 , saying Noriega 's rule posed a threat to U.S. lives and property . 12 more real people who appeared in video games . Noriega fled his offices and tried to seek sanctuary in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City . He surrendered in January 1990 and was escorted to the United States for civilian trial . Noriega was indicted in the United States on charges of racketeering , laundering drug money and drug trafficking . He was accused of having links to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar 's notorious Medellin cartel and , in the process , amassing a multimillion-dollar fortune . He was convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes and served nearly two decades in prison . In 2010 , a French court sentenced Noriega to seven years in prison for laundering 2.3 million euros ( $ 2.9 million ) through banks there . He was ordered to pay the money back . In Panama , where he was convicted of killing political opponents , he has been hospitalized several times since he returned in 2011 to serve out his prison sentence . CNN 's Leigh Remizowski , Stella Chan and Rafael Romo contributed to this report .
NEW : This means the product will ship as received by the manufacturer, sealed, with all advertised components, and with the manufacturer warranty. A judge says the First Amendment protects the creators of `` Call of Duty '' games . Ruling : `` Noriega fails to provide any evidence of harm to his reputation '' Manuel Noriega had argued he was entitled to part of the profits since his likeness was used .