Grand Theft Auto IV publisher Take Two Interactive Media, is suing the Manhattan Transit Authority after ads promoting the game were pulled from bus stops and public transport following an outcry by Fox News on the inappropriate nature of content in the game.

A Fox affiliate showed its usual staple of dire ignorance and fear mongering by blaming a wave of violent crime in Chicago on the newly released game, which prompted a sales agent of the transit authority to pull the ads.

Take Two are understandably furious over what they call a serious breach of contract for their $300,000 launch campaign, and are responding by suing the sales agent responsible, Titan Outdoor LLC for a reported $300,000 in damages and a continuation of the campaign.

A spokesman for Titan Outdoor had this to say..

“Due to the nature of the alleged misunderstanding, and our ongoing relationship with the client, we cannot comment on the case at this time, but we are working closely with Take Two and the transit authority to reach an agreement that will satisfy all parties as to the content and specifics of the campaign.”

GTA 4 launched on the Xbox360 and PS3 consoles on April 29th 2008, reaching over $500 million in sales in the first week, making it one of the most influential launch titles in history. The series has often been blamed for real-life violence by scaremongers and the mainstream media due to its adult content including car-jackings, murder and prostitution, although the ads in question offer no hint as to the violent nature of the game.