EA Sports seeks dismissal from Ed O'Bannon lawsuit

Lawyers for EA Sports want the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit dismissed. (Isaac Brekken, Associated Press)

Electronic Arts Sports asked a judge to dismiss portions of the Ed O'Bannon plaintiffs' third amended complaint related to EA prior to the class certification ruling, reports AL.com.

EA Sports' lawyers wrote in court documents seeking leave to file a motion to dismiss on Sept. 5, or an earlier time ordered by the court.

EA Sports is a defendant with the NCAA and Collegiate Licensing Company in a suit brought by former and current college players over the use of their names, images and likenesses. Former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon is one of the big names on the lawsuit and the lawsuit is set to go to trial in July of 2014.

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EA wrote that it "should not be forced to continue to litigate this case for another six months (or more), until dispositive motions on liability are briefed and decided, all based on a complaint that fails as a matter of law." EA argued that addressing the legal sufficiency of the O'Bannon plaintiffs' claims now would "significantly simplify" the case for the court and the remaining parties.